I graduated from the University of Glasgow yesterday with a Master of the Arts in History and Sociology with First Class Honours. I want my achievement to be a lesson to admissions offices - Care Experienced people can thrive in university if they are met with understanding.
Found out today that none of the universities I want to go to will have me this year. I thought that all the work I have put in would be enough, but sadly it is isn’t. I have written about it feels to be told over and over that I’m just not there yet.
Something I wish anti-independence campaigners would realise (though I suspect they don’t on purpose) is that Scottish independence isn’t about any single party. It doesn’t belong to any single party.
It’s bigger than that. It’s a life-altering path for Scotland.
At 16, I cast my first yes vote.
I voted for a independent Scotland - one free of Westminster austerity.
Free of hostile, racist and downright cruel policies. Of cronyism. Of protecting the rich and sacrificing the poor.
On 19 October 2023, I hope we secure that future.
We have a date. 19 October 2023. The people of Scotland will exercise their sovereign right to democracy. Onwards to Independence 🏴🏴🏴
These are the kinds of headlines that were published the last time the Conservative Government legislated a roll back of rights for the queer community.
Being a parent ≠ supportive or accepting.
The 3rd principle is that parents should be included in all decisions relating to a child's requests to socially transition.
No one loves children more than their parents and it is wrong to exclude parents from what can be a pathway to irreversible medical decisions (4/6)
My Twitter has exploded in the the last 24 hours.
I’ve seen a lot of comments in response to my support for independence questioning what I could possibly know about the consequences based on little more than being a young person supposedly incapable of forming my own opinion.
Let me get this right, the democratically elected First Minister of Scotland doesn’t speak for Scotland, but a person who has failed to be elected by the people of Scotland in 8 successive elections, but ends up in Parliament anyway, does?
Delighted to be on BBC Manchester tonight reassuring Mancunians that
@NicolaSturgeon
does NOT speak for Scotland, and they should NOT be cancelling holidays here later in the summer as the great majority of Scots will make them welcome.
Given the abundance of talent, resources and natural advantages we possess as a country, why couldn’t Scotland too be successful if these countries can be?
Independence is normal. With independence we can create a wealthier, happier and fairer Scotland.
Being a young person does not prevent me from understanding how big of an opportunity independence presents us. To be fully in control of our future as a country. To make our own immigration policies. To rejoin the EU like the majority of Scots voted for.
Why are neighbouring independent countries of Scotland's size wealthier, happier and fairer than the UK?
Why do they, and other comparable countries in north-west Europe regardless of size, frequently out-perform the UK across a range of key measures that determine well-being?
Scotland is no longer the same country we were in 2014. We have been dragged out the EU against our will. And we have since created substantial parts of the institutional structure needed in a independent country - our social security agency and Revenue Scotland.
To reverse immoral and vindictive policies that us Scots didn’t vote for like the bedroom tax, the rape clause and others which cost the Scottish Government £594 million a year to mitigate. And don’t even get me started on hostile immigration tactics like Rwanda.
So it begins! I’ve received my FIRST EVER offer to University. It’s really hard for me to comprehend how I’ve got to this stage. It’s taken having to do 3 evening classes and an apprenticeship whilst working full time and entire shift in mindset. But I did it!!!
#NoWrongPath
I submitted my UCAS application earlier today. I cannot describe the overwhelming sense of achievement I felt pressing that button. I always pretended that I wasn’t interested in university. Truth is, I didn’t think I was good enough for it. I now know I am. Exciting times.
Incase u didn’t know it’s unbelievably tragic greeting about not being able to attend a football match for 3 whole weeks when people are literally dying, our NHS is swamped and entire sectors are on the brink of collapse cos of the uncertainty of this pandemic, Brian
I’m
#SNPbecause
it’s my generation who has been hit the hardest by successive economic crises and years of Tory austerity. I don’t trust anyone else but
@theSNP
to lead our country into recovery and onwards towards an independent, economically secure future.
But most importantly, we are a world leader in our own right in renewable energy, climate action and human rights. The question I have for those who are undecided just now as the date for the next referendum has been set is this -
I’m so used to seeing free tampons and pads in public toilets now that I almost don’t notice them unless I am caught short myself. Today this caught my attention - free to take period pants and moon cups. This is how you tackle period poverty in a sustainable way.
I absolutely adore this. By far the best party political broadcast I have seen from the
@theSNP
since I joined.
The Scotland that voted no in 2014 is and has changed its mind. The best future for us is assured by independence.
@BorisJohnson
Give us the choice.
#ChangeMustCome
Something that every single Scot envisions differently.
Because independence means something different to all of us - the hope for a better future, a better life, means something different to all of us. Let’s not forget that in these conversations.
So here it is - an open letter to the person who sexually abused me when I was a child. I hope it encourages others to start the conversation.
#MeToo
.
Wow - what a day. My educational journey has not been easy.
But today, I can finally take much needed time to breathe out.
I did it. I made to University. I’m ready and I’m glad other people can now see it too.
Honestly I know 1st year in uni isn’t a big deal but don’t mind me getting 4 As (6 if you count Summer School) in 1 year after being rejected at the point of application x
THREAD: Please. Stop treating us Care Experienced people as party political tactic.
Jeremy is wearing a scarf which was gifted to him from Care Experienced people in a visit back in February.
I was part of the group who spent time with him, sharing our own lived experiences.
Out of interest, Alex, you do know how The First Minister gained this nickname, right?
It’s just from this article it seems - where you haven’t once mentioned Care Experienced people - that you don’t know/have chosen to ignore how it came about.
There are around 800 Met police officers facing investigation over 1,000 cases of sexual and domestic abuses just now.
Predatory men who want to hurt women don’t need a GRC to attack us. They don’t need to pretend to be women.
They need a police uniform.
SNP hold Glasgow Kelvin and history has been made.
@kaukabstewart
is the first-ever BAME woman to be elected to our Scottish Parliament after 22 years. Massive congratulations, Kaukab. You’re going to be fantastic!
Well, I certainly wasn’t expecting to see this headline this morning.
“Pupils in care will be guaranteed a place provided they meet the minimum requirements for their course, potentially displacing a better qualified candidate with a more fortunate background.”
6 years ago I was a 16 year old wee girl, who had been given the chance to vote for her future for the first time ever. I voted yes because I envisioned an independent Scotland that was equal, fair and prosperous.
6 years later I still have that vision.
#YesThenYesNow
🏴
I am now a graduate of a Red Brick uni and about to embark on my postgraduate in Museum Studies.
Let me be clear this was only possible through sheer determination and grit despite the odds being very much against me.
I hope others from backgrounds like mine can do so too.
Found out today that none of the universities I want to go to will have me this year. I thought that all the work I have put in would be enough, but sadly it is isn’t. I have written about it feels to be told over and over that I’m just not there yet.
As a young woman, I cannot begin to explain how it feels to see this wonderful young lady showing everyone just how powerful she is.
@AmyCallaghanSNP
ran an honest, respectful and positive campaign and I can’t think of anyone who deserves this more. So proud 💛
I am disgusted by the comments made below this video. Care Experienced young people are NOT a political tactic, we are NOT an agenda. We are human beings and we deserve the same as our non Care Experienced peers. It was a privilege to feature in this video.
Second last stop for the day in Dumbarton just before the hail stones started. Lots of support for our candidate
@ToniGiugliano
including two young first time voters who have already sent away their postal votes with
#BothVotesSNP
.
Sharing my speech today on here for anyone who missed it.
Scotland has already done so much for Care Experienced people. We can stop and celebrate these successes, but we must do so with the knowledge in mind that there is still so much to be done.
#SNP2020
I understand the sentiment of
#NoWrongPath
, but what I struggle with is that many of our paths are significantly more difficult than others and in my view there seems to be little discussion on that. I’m what would be considered the perfect example of the no wrong path.
I almost didn’t make it to university. It would have been easy for me to give up after being told I didn’t have the qualifications. Because none of this achievement was handed to me. I’m a working class girl who spent time in care. I am by no means the blueprint for this.
I’m so sick of this classist, anti young people rhetoric that has appeared in Scottish politics because we stand up for what we believe in. Calling for the disbandment of young people’s organisations or entitling us all as middle class is absurd.
Today I reflect on the phrase “no wrong path”. I suppose you could say I’m testament to that. But my path was unnecessarily hard and it didn’t have to be. I think about how many other people like me do just give up. How many don’t know about contextualised offers like I received.
Very excited to finally share the news that I have been appointed to the board of the Care Inspectorate.
I’m a huge believer that those with lived experience should be in the leading roles in the inspection and improvement of our health and social care services.
The Minister for Mental Wellbeing and Social Care, Kevin Stewart, has announced the appointments of Charlotte Armitage, Audrey Cowie, Maria McGill and Rosie Moor as members of the Care Inspectorate board.
You can find out more about our board here:
Can someone please explain to me what actually posses men when they grope a woman? I’ve been out twice the last couple of weekends and both times a man has felt they had the right to grab me inappropriately. My body doesn’t belong to you so don’t fucking touch me
@WilliamMccabe60
I’m perfectly aware of who Rishi Sunak is and what his role involves. Ageism towards young people will not win any votes for the better together campaign.
A wonderful day
@ScotParl
celebrating International Women’s Day with
@SWCwomen
, our inspiring First Minister
@NicolaSturgeon
and my amazing friend colleague
@sallymdonald
(and Maya!)
Feeling inspired, powerful and proud to be a women in Scotland 🏴
Not everyday you are invited to the First Minister of Scotland’s house to talk about your favourite thing - Harry Potter 💛 A story that changed mine and many other Care Experienced people’s lives.
@NicolaSturgeon
thank you for having us.
@whocaresscot
thank you for book club!
Has there ever been a clearer reason why Scotland needs independence?
Our country didn’t vote for these hostile, excluding and downright cruel policies. We didn’t vote for cronyism. And we certainly didn’t vote for a slogan loving Prime Minister who repeatedly ignores science.
I am a cis, bi young woman. My feminism is and always will be intersectional. I will never apologise or live in fear because I stand up for my trans friends, sisters and colleagues. Trans rights are human rights, period. Solidarity always for Trans women and men.💛
#TransAllyScot
The only party against extending the franchise for all foreign nationals legally resident in Scotland was the Tories. The only party against a Universal Basic Income are the Tories. The only person who have mentioned independence in every answer is the Tories.
I cannot begin to express the gratitude that I have for
@NicolaSturgeon
’s and the
@theSNP
‘s commitment to our cause. Speaking as one of the 400 people who has already shared my experiences, it is very clear to me how important improving the care system is to them.
@KarenAdamMSP
Thank you for speaking out, Karen. It’s important that we move past the idea that people who abuse and harm children in any way, but especially sexually, are outsiders in society. They’re not. They live among us, as ordinary people.
Douglas Ross making it clear that he supports the UK Government’s decision to attempt take down the UNCRC Bill by taking the Scottish Parliament to court. Not the first time he’s stood against Scottish democracy.
#STVDebate
My success is a demonstration of why a holistic approach to admissions works well. If I hadn’t been given a contextualised offer, I know my path would be entirely different. Thankfully it is not. I’d be left feeling unfulfilled like I had for a long time before if it had.
6 years ago, aged 15, I walked into this building for the first time after being taken into care the night before. Today I left the building, said goodbye to social workers who were involved from the beginning - for the final time, after working there for two years.
Funny the folk that called for the resignation of the CMO, Catherine Calderwood, have been silent with the news of Dominic Cummings breaking lockdown rules. I wonder why that is? 🤨
@NicolaSturgeon
and the
@theSNP
are miles apart from
@Douglas4Moray
and the
@ScotTories
. The SNP confirms it will work with everyone to tackle climate change. The Tories can’t put their obsession with Union aside for the sake of future of our planet.
It's been 10 years since I took my abuser to court. I've spent some time reflecting on what that experience was like for a 14-year-old and the changes I think are needed for survivors of sexual offences.
I see we are still holding women accountable for the actions of men then. How preposterous to suggest that the FM could have done anything before she was aware of the complaints. It’s not a woman’s role to keep their male senior in line.
#IStandWithNicola
THREAD:
So the news is finally out! I am beyond excited to announce that I have been selected as one of
@youngwomenscot
#30Under30
list of inspiring women in Scotland, alongside 29 other incredible young women.
I want to talk about what this means to me.
Dear ‘feminists’ on the internet. If you tell men that have been raped or have experienced sexual violence of any form that their experience doesn’t matter because they are a man, then I’m not sorry to inform that you are part of the problem and are definitely not a feminist.
While we’re on the topic,
@johncummingSNP
and I were interviewed by
@benrileysmith
for the
@Telegraph
a couple weeks ago and the video has just gone live!
Have a deek to hear why independence is important for young people like me and John.
Tonight, I had the privilege of witnessing something very special.
For the first time in Bute House history, the First Minister hosted a poetry salon. And it was for Care Experienced people.
It allowed me to share a part of my journey in a creative and reflective way.
Just submitted my dissertation proposal. Such a pinch me moment.
The young girl who left care in 2016 would never believe I’d make it to uni never mind proposing my own historical research!!! Can’t wait to get stuck into the archives!!!
The First Minister should absolutely be held accountable from opposition parties.
However, it is not for any politician to decide whether or not she deserves the name given to her by Care Experienced people. Only we get to do that.
The face of a girl who tonight had her final session and has now completed the COSCA Counselling Skills course (which is equivalent to a Foundation degree?!!!). I’ve never been a fan of endings, but this one feels particularly special.
As one of the Care Experienced people who may benefit from this new and progressive admissions policy, I can tell you how discouraged I feel reading this.
Like I won’t deserve a place guaranteed at university, no matter how hard I work, because I don’t come from privilege.
It’s 2020 for crying out loud. Can we stop referring to women as, “...’s wife”, please?
@ScotNational
her name is Nadia El-Nakla. She is standing for Parliament on her own merit and deserves to be known as more than simply the wife of her husband.
@mark_mclaughlin
Care Experienced people are full of potential and in fact the barriers that we face and overcome provide great learning that others don’t have.
It would be great to invite you in to meet myself and other Care Experienced people to see what this looks like.
Handed my dissertation on Friday! Pretty surreal sending it away. Thinking about how 4 years ago I was rejected from all of my UCAS choices based off a first glance at my lack of qualifications because of the impact being taken into care had on my high school education.
Getting into university when you are a Care Experienced person is a anomaly. It often requires twice as much work to even be accepted.
The guaranteed offer is a step towards levelling the playing field for Care Experienced people.
To all the folk commenting that there were women too, yes, I’m aware - but all of the footage from today makes it evidently clear that the majority involved were men. Glasgow has been left in an absolute state as a result. Shocking to see
Well, it’s officially the end of an era.
Today was my last day at
@whocaresscot
after four wonderful years of working there. It’s hard to put into words how much this job, the people I have worked with and this community has changed my life.
My entire world has been changed.
I stand in solitary with sex workers and peer lead groups, today and always. We cannot ignore their voices when creating legislation and policy that will directly impact them.
#NotEqualNotSafe
#SolidaritySelfie
Another early rise for
@LaurenOxleyx
and I. Final day before polling day campaigning across the country with the
@theSNP
campaign bus! Getting out the
#BothVotesSNP
message!
THREAD: I’m
#SNPbecause
the prospect of another generation being forced to suffer under Tory austerity, the same way my generation and many before mine had to, makes me dread the future.
I dread the future because I already know the present. It can only get worse.
As a woman, and survivor of sexual violence, I can’t explain how important this legislation is. It will literally change lives.
Amendment 28 was a distraction, designed to uphold hateful rhetoric.
We shouldn’t have given it the time of day.
#EnoughIsEnough
we stand with and support survivors of sexual assault. we celebrate the passage of the forensic medical services bill. we condemn the MSPs who voted for the toothless lamont amendment.
we are only as strong as the most vulnerable in our society 🏴
#enoughisenough
The announcement should be welcomed, praised.
It should not be used as an opportunity to indirectly label Care Experienced people and people from poverty affected areas as proletariat and not as deserving as pupils from privileged backgrounds.
THREAD:
This week something really important happened. The Care Review released its findings and vision for the future. The need for transformative change Care Experienced people is now irrefutable. Although, to me, it always has been.
So I just had a thought about
#VotesAt16
. The average leaving care age in the UK is around 16 years old.
At 16, our parent, the State, believes teenagers are adult and capable enough to survive on our own with little support. Adult enough to live in homeless hostels.
@KarenAdamMSP
If we don’t move past this, the CSA epidemic will continue to worsen. And the predators, disguised as ordinary people, will continue to be able operate among us. It’s the same reason why we hear victim blamer outrage at the idea of ‘ruining’ rapists’ reputation by reporting them.
To the many (many)people in my life who don’t know, or I haven’t told... surprise!
I’m bisexual.
It’s taken a lot to be real enough with myself to say it out loud, but finally I feel a weight lifted off my shoulders. A weight that shouldn’t have been there in the first place.
@charlottearmit7
, the National Equalities Officer for
@YSINational
, shares her experience of being bisexual as we celebrate Bi-Visibility Week
#BiVisibility
Watch out for more this week as BiVisibilty should be more than a day 💙
A thoughtful and generous act from one of our Corporate Parents used as a cheap political tactic. Seriously?! Can I just say thank you from all Care Experienced young people attending, including me. If only more Corporate Parents did the same. Keep doing what you are doing 💛
The real story is about love. Love in the care system, precious memories evoked in recipes, and the love with which we cook and eat together. Funny they didn’t mention all that.
#CorporateParenting
#caresystem
#love
3/3
This is massive. Free schools throughout my entire primary school career and over the holidays for my family of 7 children would have been life changing for us. I can’t explain the relief parents in similar positions will feel if this is able to happen.
Articles like this one only further confirm to me that I am viewed as a second classed citizen in comparison to my peers, simply because my childhood is viewed as less ‘fortunate’ as a result of being taken into care.
Something I had no control over.
Tested positive for covid yesterday. Waiting for my PCR test results to confirm. I’ve had both vaccines and u feel pretty terrible. Blocked nose, a cough and have lost my smell. I can only imagine how bad it must be without the vaccine. Get vaccinated troops x
I hope that
@mark_mclaughlin
will reconsider his assessment of the announcement.
Thank you to
@uni_scot
for making the guaranteed offer possible. I’m looking forward to seeing the positive impact it has.
More can still be done, but what an encouraging starting point.
Happy to publicly respond, Rab. I blocked you and ended the dialogue you were pushing because your Twitter feed is full of bigotry. Something I do not want to see on my feed. Frankly, I don’t owe you anything. Apologies for calling you a zoomer.