The event, which is in its seventh year, takes place every October and marks the end of Care Experienced Week, a national occasion that brings together and celebrates the Care Experienced community.
The community includes those who are currently, or have ever been, in care such as kinship care, secure care, foster care, children’s homes, looked after at home with social work supervision and adoption.
(Image: Robert Perry) David Anderson, a Care Experienced campaigner who spoke at the rally, said: “It is one of the privileges of my life to be able to stand here in solidarity with everyone.
“To feel the connection and belonging we in the care community have, not only with each other, but with those friends, family and supporters who stand alongside us.
“We’re here today because all children should grow up to feel loved and should they have to live away from their parents they should grow up to experience connection and belonging in the most positive of ways.”
(Image: Robert Perry) Natalie Don-Innes, centre, the Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise (Image: Robert Perry)
This year Who Cares? Scotland, the charity that started the march in 2018, was joined by more than 400 people including Natalie Don-Innes, the minister for Children, Young People and The Promise, alongside other elected officials who were there to show their support.
Ms Don-Innes said: “It was a privilege to join the Care Experienced Community and Who Cares? Scotland for the annual Love rally.
“This week has been an opportunity to raise awareness of what it means to be Care Experienced in Scotland and celebrate this.
“We are determined to continue working together to Keep the Promise.
“Scotland is working hard to deliver the change which is required for children, young people adults and families who are Care Experienced.
“This includes work launched this week to inform the future of foster care and work underway on a universal definition for care experience.”
(Image: Robert Perry) (Image: Robert Perry) (Image: Robert Perry) (Image: Robert Perry) (Image: Robert Perry) (Image: Robert Perry) (Image: Robert Perry) (Image: Robert Perry) (Image: Robert Perry)
