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Care Day

Celebrating and connecting the care-experienced community!

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Care Day was established in February 2016. It is a day to celebrate the positive experiences and contributions of children and young people with care-experience. A community that rises every day and overcomes challenges most of us will never experience.
Young care-leavers from Ireland, Northern Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales created the Care Day concept in 20216. Today, it is a joint initiative across five children’s rights organisations, which are now known as the 5 Nations 1 Voice (5N1V) alliance. The 5N1V alliance includes, Become (England), Who Cares? Scotland, Voices from Care (Wales), Voice of Young People in Care (Northern Ireland), and EPIC.
Logos for the five nations organisations.
Logo for Care Day.
White rocketship.
While discussing their different care experiences, they agreed that the public were not fully aware about care systems, and that this contributed to their shared experience of stigma and negative perceptions and stereotypes about children and young people who are or have been in care. They envisioned a day that would highlight the achievements and celebrate children and young people with care experience, while also educating the public about the care system itself.
Another primary objective of Care Day was to create a sense of community across the world for those with care experience, to help children and young people support each other and be proud of who they are and what they have achieved.

Care Day 2025

Care Day 2025 falls on Friday the 21st of February. Each year, EPIC Care Community and Youth Council members develop a Care Day theme. For their Care Day 2025 celebration, they have chosen, “Voices from care, ripples of change!”.

Voices from care, ripples of change

Care Day is a call to listen, learn, and amplify voices from care, as every story has the potential to create waves of meaningful impact!

The Care Day 2025 theme celebrates the transformative power of hearing directly from those with care-experience. Each voice from care carries a unique perspective, shedding light on both challenges and triumphs.


By sharing experiences, voices from care create ripples of change that inspire awareness, empathy, and action. They spark understanding and challenge misconceptions about life in care. These ripples not only influence public attitudes, but also shape policies and practices, driving systemic change to improve the lives of care-experienced youth across Ireland.
 
This theme is a powerful reminder that every story matters and that change begins when we truly listen. It calls upon society to amplify care voices, ensuring they are heard in all spaces where decisions are made. By embracing the insights of those with lived experience, we can work collectively to build a care system that supports, uplifts, and empowers, creating a legacy of hope and progress for generations to come.

An illustrated poster features the theme "Voices from Care, Ripples of Change" for Care Day 2025. The central image shows a person standing in water, creating ripples, with only their lower legs and feet visible. They are wearing dark pants and colorful sneakers. Above, a comic-style speech bubble with stars reads "#CareDay25." The bottom of the poster includes logos: "EPIC - empowering people in care," the Irish Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration, and Youth, and a colorful circular "Care Day" logo. The overall design conveys a message of creating positive change and amplifying voices in care.

#CareDay24

EPIC celebrated Care Day 2024 on Friday the 16th of February with care-experienced children and young people across Ireland. Each year EPIC Care Community and Youth Council members develop a Care Day theme, and for their 2024 celebration they chose, “I am what I choose to become”.
On the EPIC Youth Councils, there is a diversity of talent and interest. From aspiring nurses, paramedics and social care workers to Lego enthusiasts, creatives, and footballers, as well as young people who have embarked on careers as teachers, social workers, and digital marketers. These inspirational young people have overcome challenges and are embracing their future. For #CareDay24, they wanted to inspire children and young people in care to aim high, dream big and reach for their goals.
Save the date for Care Day 2024. Text on the graphic says 'I am what I choose to become'. Beneath this, it says #CareDay24, celebrating and connecting the care-experienced community.