This autumn, members of the Fostering People Scotland team, alongside our foster carers and children and young people, had the privilege of attending the One Hundred Voices events across Scotland.
One Hundred Voices was much more than an exhibition. Through a powerful and interactive installation, it brought to life the experiences, thoughts and feelings of care-experienced young people in a way that was both moving and unforgettable.
While it’s difficult to fully capture the impact of the exhibition in words, everyone who attended came away with a deeper understanding of the challenges, resilience and lived experiences of young people who have been in care. We were all struck by the creativity, dedication and passion that had gone into creating such an important project.
A Powerful Insight
Cassie Yeaman, Registered Manager, reflected on her experience:
“One Hundred Voices is a very powerful insight into the experiences and feelings of young people, and I would recommend it to anyone working in this field. Speaking to one of the team on the night, I heard they had welcomed visitors from a wide range of backgrounds, including education, social work, law, children’s panel members, residential staff, health professionals, and foster carers.
The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. I believe the tour has now finished, but there is hope it may be extended in the future if there is enough demand, so watch this space… and go along if you get the chance.”
The Importance of Listening
For John Platt, Managing Director, one of the most valuable aspects of the evening was the opportunity to listen and learn:
“I found One Hundred Voices incredibly impactful and really appreciated the opportunity to talk and listen to Paula afterwards. We can never be perfect, but I believe we continually strive to support our children, and most importantly, to listen to and hear our young people.”
His comments highlight something at the heart of fostering: ensuring the voices of children and young people are heard, valued, and acted upon.
Seeing Through Their Eyes
One of our foster carers also found the exhibition incredibly thought-provoking.
She felt it offered valuable insight into the experiences of care-experienced young people and would be particularly beneficial for anyone considering becoming a foster carer.
Developing a greater understanding of the journeys young people have been on helps foster carers provide the empathy, support and stability that can make such a difference in a child’s life.
An Experience We Won’t Forget
A blog post can only scratch the surface of what One Hundred Voices offered. The exhibition challenged perspectives, sparked important conversations and left a lasting impression on everyone who attended.
If the exhibition returns in the future, we would wholeheartedly encourage others to experience it themselves. We’ll certainly be keeping our eyes peeled for any future dates.
As Jane Goodall once said: “You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”
At Fostering People, we’re committed to continuing to listen, learn and ensure that the voices of children and young people remain at the centre of everything we do.