Over 200 delegates virtually attended the annual What Matters to Us Conference, which took place online on Friday 30 April. The event was attended by final year HN students in Social Care & Early Years courses, and for college staff who lead these programmes.
Our first keynote speaker was Dr Donald Macaskill, Chief Executive of Scottish Care, who spoke candidly about the subject of human rights in a pandemic. He said that he would like every decision maker to be trained in human rights.
“This has not been an easy year”, @DrDMacaskill says at #WMTUS21
How can we treat one community differently to the way in which we treat another? Mr Macaskill asks.
“Throughout the pandemic we have perpetuated age discrimination.” pic.twitter.com/xJVz2iCVoK
— CDN (@ColDevNet) April 30, 2021
Our second keynote speaker was artist, writer, and activist Kiana Kalantar, who spoke about her experience of the social care system.
@KianaKalantar explains that her life hangs on a thread and that she relies on other people to help her stay alive. #WMTUS21
She admits that she is frightened of the future that is ahead of her.
“People are dying from a lack of #socialcare and this has to stop,” Kiana says. pic.twitter.com/ISKZmpHUqt
— CDN (@ColDevNet) April 30, 2021
Our third keynote speaker was Ryan McCuaig, Chair of Who Cares? Scotland, who spoke about the power of positive relationships.
“I think we can and should do better for #CareExperienced young people. The next generation deserves better,” says @Ryan_McCuaig @whocaresscot at #WMTUS21 #socialcare #Scotland pic.twitter.com/bvPGjIpJ53
— CDN (@ColDevNet) April 30, 2021
Thanks to mental health expert Brian Costello, founder of Headstrong, for closing the event.
The conference was delivered in partnership with CDN, Iriss, the Scottish Social Services Council, Early Years Scotland, the ALLIANCE, University of the West of Scotland, and representatives from the college sector.
If you missed the conference or want to revisit the event, then you will be pleased to hear that the event is now available to watch back on CDN’s event platform.
Watch the event back on CDN’s virtual conference platform
