VOYPIC, the local charity which works in partnership with children and young people living in care, will be marking international Care Day 2020 on Friday 21 February.
Now in its fifth year, Care Day 2020 will be celebrated through a number of events across Northern Ireland.
Events will include coffee mornings to outdoor activities, training and talks as well as fundraising activity run by individuals and organisations.
Care Day will focus on the young people and children who live in care, with the theme #REIMAGINING, and will set out to challenge stereotypical perceptions of life in care.
The campaign activities will highlight the 3,281 children in care here, according to the most recent statistics from the Department of Health.
As of March 2019, Northern Ireland had its highest number of children in care since the introduction of the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995.
The Department’s Children’s Social Care Statistics for Northern Ireland also show that four-fifths of the children in care here were in foster care placements (79%) while 11% were placed with parents, 6% in residential care and 4% in other placements.
Care Day 2020 in Northern Ireland will champion these young people. It will culminate with a talent show at the Waterfront’s ICC where young people from across Northern Ireland, including those currently engaged with VOYPIC, will perform a captivating talent show.
Since Christmas, groups of young people from Belfast, Bangor, Ballymena, Lurgan and Derry/Londonderry have been working with professional artists to prepare a special performance for the show. Talents include singing, dance, drumming and circus skills.
Alicia Toal, chief executive, VOYPIC (Voice Of Young People In Care) said Care Day is an excellent initiative that allows the incredible young people they work with, and indeed all care experienced young people, to take centre stage and inform the world about what that care is really about.
“It challenges everyone to take some time to rethink what they think they know about how children are cared for in Northern Ireland. Young people we work with have told us that many people don’t have a very positive image of care and children in care. Some think that children in care cause trouble or don’t do well at school. We need to challenge those myths.
“On Care Day, we show the world that this isn’t true. On Care Day, we celebrate the talents, achievements and identity of the many young people in care who inspire us all, from right across Northern Ireland,” she added.
VOYPIC is calling on those interested to host their own special occasion to celebrate Care Day and care experienced young people.
Local care experienced young people are welcoming the Care Day initiative.
Naomi McGrady (16), a VOYPIC Young Leader from Glenavy, Co Antrim said Care Day is a really important day for everyone involved in VOYPIC and for all the other young people in care.
“It’s a special day, where we can show the world that we proud. This year’s Care Day is all about REIMAGINING, so it’s really great that people are taking some time to think about what care is and realise that young people in care are just like everyone else,” she said.
Aaron McKenna (16), a VOYPIC Young Leader from Belfast said it’s so important for there to be days like Care Day.
“I know some people don’t have a great opinion of young people in care. That’s a stereotype, it’s prejudice. Days like Care Day, especially this year with the theme REIMAGINING, show people that young people in care are just young people. We have dreams, we want to achieve, we want to do well in life. And, with a little help, that’s exactly what we’re doing,” he said.
And Rebecca Taggart (17), a VOYPIC Young Leader from Bangor added: “I’m really looking forward to Care Day, especially the big celebration event that VOYPIC is running on Friday night. It’s a chance for lots of young people in care to come together, to celebrate our strength and to show the world we’re just like everyone else.”