Today is World Care Day – the world’s biggest celebration of children who grow up with a care experience. It is a day to raise awareness, challenge stereotypes and highlight the strengths and achievements of young people in care.
This year’s theme is “Breaking Barriers” which celebrates the determination, resilience and creativity young people in care show while facing unique challenges and it encourages everyone to play their part in removing obstacles that stand in the way.
This World Care Day, we celebrate almost 19-year-old Olivia who first came into care as a seven-year-old and began a long-term foster care arrangement in 2016, where she remains to this day.
“It was hard at first with all the changes, but when I came to my third placement, I knew where this is where I wanted to stay. I don’t see my carers as carers, I see them as my family and I don’t think I would be who or where I am today without them”, Olivia said.
On the first arrival at her long-term placement, Olivia’s carers gave her a house tour and made her feel welcome by organising family activities so everyone could get to know one another, something which made a huge impact on helping her settle into her new home.
“It made me feel like I wasn’t an outcast to the rest of the family and like I was living with strangers. I soon came to realise that they loved me for who I was and accepted me with open arms, and I am proud to call them my family”.
When asked about her care experience, Olivia said she always felt respected.
“No matter the situation, I always felt like my opinions and decisions in life were seen, valued and heard”.
Rating her care experience as “highly good”, Olivia formed a close bond with her social workers, who provided her with opportunities to speak about life and her ups and downs and were always there to provide support and listen with a non-judgemental ear.
Olivia’s advice on what carers can do to help a child settle into a care experience, is to make them feel safe and supported straight away.
“Going into care can be scary and confusing so it’s important to be patient, calm and understanding. Build trust by listening to them, be consistent and show them that you genuinely care. I believe that if a child feels safe, heard and valued, they’re much more likely to feel comfortable and start to settle in”.
Currently in her second year of completing her Bachelor of Science (Nursing), Olivia hopes to complete her studies and become a midwife, with her overall goal to help people.
“I find myself as someone who genuinely enjoys connecting with people and making a positive impact. I have a strong interest for caring for others and contributing back to society wherever I can”.
Olivia’s educational success was celebrated at last years Achiever Awards, taking home both a University Achiever Award and the overall Community Spirit Award.
The Community Spirit Award is presented to an Achiever Award winner who has made an important contribution to their community, demonstrating impact on their school, work, cultural, local or other community endeavours including volunteering and/or advocacy.
Showing her caring nature and genuine enjoyment for connecting with people, she is no stranger to volunteer work having volunteered from 2019 to raise money for various charities. She is passionate about supporting the homeless, volunteering her time to cook and knit for a cause which involves cooking, knitting and distributing food and blankets to the homeless. She also volunteers as an event paramedic with St John.
Olivia credits her care experience for helping to shape who she is today.
“My care experience has honestly shaped a big part of who I am and how I got here. It’s taught me resilience and independence from a young age, and it’s helped me appreciate the importance of having support around you. Going through challenges made me more determined to create stability and opportunities for myself. It’s also given me empathy for others who might be going through tough situations. I think my experience has made me stronger, more motivated, and more grateful for the people who have supported me along the way”.
Nominations will soon be open for the Achiever Awards, which provide recognition, encouragement and financial assistance to young people who have been in care and undertaking further education and training.
Over 650 extraordinary young people have been recognised through the program since its inception in 1990.
Find out more about World Care Day, hear the stories from young people across the country and join the conversation to break down the barriers.
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