This week (15th – 20th March) is Scottish Kinship Care Week 2021, and there is a huge selection of exciting events taking place to mark the occasion. The week is co-ordinated by Kinship Care Advisory Service Scotland (KCASS) working in partnership with other Kinship Care organisations. To raise awareness of this important week, Children’s Health Scotland’s Ambassador and children’s television presenter, Rory Crawford, joined us on social media for another #StoryWithRory.
This time Rory read “Can’t You Sleep Little Bear?” by Martin Waddell, with beautiful illustrations by Barbara Firth (published by Walker Books, 2013). This wonderful children’s story is about young Little Bear who is frightened of the dark and can’t get to sleep, and the ever-patient Big Bear who does everything they can to help Little Bear feel safe. We hope this story highlights the hard work, dedication and love that it takes to be a kinship carer – as grannies, grandpas, aunties and uncles do everything they can to look after the children and young people in their lives.
In addition to this reading by Rory, Children’s Health Scotland’s very own Anne Wilson, Head of Development, is delivering some fantastic workshops for kinship carers on childhood trauma and how this can lead to challenging behaviours in children and young people. The sessions talk though practical approaches to supporting children who are affected and are an opportunity for kinship carers to share their experiences with others who are going through similar challenges with their children and young people.
In addition to Anne’s workshops there are a huge range of other events taking place, Anne said,
KCASS have put together a fantastic programme for Kinship Care Week with lots of vibrant, interesting sessions – there is something for everyone! Highlights of the week include a Q&A with Maree Todd (the Minister for Children and Young People), and a Children’s Party Hour at the weekend! They are really keen to hear from Kinship Carers with regards to how services can be improved to better support them – so get involved!
If you would like to find out more information about events taking place during Scottish Kinship Care Week 2021, and to book your tickets, visit the Kinship Care Week website.
Anne Wilson also delivers Kinship Carer Training Workshops – if you would like more information about these please contact enquiries@childrenshealthscotland.org or call us on 0131 553 6553.
