The time has come where I will be saying my farewell to my role with @whocaresscot for an incredible new role with @NHSGGC . I have grown incredibly used to things changing in my life, but this change feels bigger and a bit harder than others

I’m sad to be moving on however I am also incredibly excited for my new role. I want to send a massive thank you to everyone who has supported my journey at @whocaresscot.

I want to take you on a journey down memory lane to show you how  @whocaresscot empowered me as a Care Experienced person from being embarrassed about growing up in care to the guy who is focusing his career on community building, empowerment and making sure others are heard.

Like many Care Experienced people, I met the organisation when I needed advocacy to stop me being separated from my brother.

A while later, My advocate told me about one of the membership offers from Who Cares? Scotland which was an opportunity to apply for summer study at Harvard. I was successful and spent the summer studying there. An experience I will never forget https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/news.stv.tv/archive/1408629-care-home-lad-who-defied-odds-to-attend-harvard-university%3famp

After this, I needed a placement whilst I was at university and Who Cares? Scotland stepped up with an opportunity. Alongside my University studies I worked with @jamiekinlochan and got to feel what it was like to be at the heart of campaigning and a liberation movement.

Since then, my life has taken many twists and turns. I was successful in applying for a full time job at Who Cares? Scotland after university and worked in the Public Affairs team.

During this time, I worked with the @BBCScotland to develop a viral video that reached around 1 million people around the globe. 1 million people, surreal https://twitter.com/bbcradioscot/status/895184729024208896

After this, London was calling and I spoke at @WEMovement conference at Wembley Arena about Care Experienced people and our campaigning movement to 15,000 people in person I also met @TheVamps in the process but embarrassingly had no clue who they were at the time. Sorry

I worked alongside the First Minister @nicolasturgeon on a number of occasions and she even came to my graduation. For many Care Experienced people, there might be no parent at their graduation.

One of the happiest moment of my life was when the Chief Mammy came to mine and gave me a special book of Robert Burns poems. A truly amazing gift https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/scotland-now/students-graduation-remember-nicola-sturgeon-11801197

However I also had the privilege of working with other party members such as @RichardLeonard @anniewells @davidlinden to speak to them about Care Experienced people and the impact politicians can make to policy which impacts on our lives.

In fact, I was so determined to have all party’s understand Care Experience I chased Jeremy Corbyn down amidst a crowd of labour students to convince him to meet with @whocaresscot and learn more about Care Experienced people. This happened. And I mean we CHASED

I even got to travel the world. I visited Sweden, San Francisco and Los Angeles as a @WCMT Fellow exploring the experience of care in these countries and made great friends along the way. These friends even came to @whocaresscot summer camp in Scotland @knashemma

On returning, I threw myself straight into the Who Cares? Scotland summer camp, an opportunity for Care Experienced people to come together as a community. Thankfully I won’t be flung in the river any time soon.

As soon as I got over the jet lag, I organised the first ever Global Care Family Gathering in Irvine with speakers from all over the world including @JacindaArdern @nicolasturgeon @DriveForward @DeeMichel @ashleyjbaptiste and many more.

Through my work, I discovered I had made it through a childhood in care, primary, secondary school and university without anyone realising I was dyslexic. The penny dropped when @JamieKinlochan told me 0s and Os weren’t the same “Try walking a mile in my feet” - Callum Lynch

The reason I was able to get support was because Who Cares? Scotland was a caring employer who made sure I had support. With the incredible relationship based practice the organisation embodies I felt nurtured and cared for. Alongside a real focus to develop me professionally.

Everything I done and experienced made me want to work directly with Care Experienced people and over the last year, I have worked with @PACGlasgow an incredible group of Care Experienced campaigners from Glasgow.

In my time with PAC, I’ve seen them grow and I’ve been so happy being alongside the compassion, friendship and determination I saw from members. We marched at Pride together, we spoke to the First Minister and visited the theatre to see  @Jenni_Fagan's The Panopticon

Already, they have currently commissioned out their own piece of mental health research as they were sick of hearing about the outdated and old stats. I know they will go on to great things working alongside @GCHSCP and other corporate parents

In short @whocaresscot allowed me to build some of the most amazing relationships with people, members and colleagues and it has given me friends for life. For that I am eternally grateful

I want to take this moment to thank everyone who has played a part in my journey but also Who Cares? Scotland’s journey so far and keep doing the amazing work that you are. I am so grateful for all of the learning and abundance of memories

Keep in touch and remember as a corporate parent I will still have a duty I am excited to be alongside the organisation as they create a Lifetime of Equality Respect and Love for Care Experienced people. I will be keeping the same username because I still care.