From Care to global Change: Six months that started a movement

This journey began with care experienced people from five continents. We came together as two strong groups of care leaders, meeting every month for six powerful sessions, each lasting two and a half hours. These were not just meetings but deep conversations filled with honesty, courage, and ideas. Every month, we came with open hearts, ready to listen, learn, and build. We wanted to do more than just talk, we wanted to create something real, something that would make the voices of care leavers impossible to ignore. Now, after six months, we feel a strong sense of accomplishment. We know we have contributed in the best way possible to make this upcoming conference the most inclusive, accessible, and meaningful event we can imagine.

From the very start, we knew this would not be an ordinary conference. We wanted it to be a safe and welcoming space where care leavers are not just invited to speak but are at the center of every decision. This space would be one where people feel seen, heard, and respected, no matter where they come from, what language they speak, or what challenges they face. Lived experience would not be just a story shared for a few minutes, it would lead the entire event. We began with one powerful question: What kind of future do we want for care leavers across the world? Many of us have lived through the pain of leaving care without proper support or guidance. We know the struggle to find belonging, safety, and opportunity. That is why this work is so personal. It is not just professional, it is emotional. It is built with both our minds and our hearts. We decided early on that we would not follow the usual pattern of conferences where care leavers are just “guests.” We asked ourselves, Who will speak? Who will feel welcome? Who might be left out? How do we make sure no one is excluded? These questions shaped everything, from the format of sessions to the way we communicate. We shared real stories of our challenges and our strengths. We did not want these stories to be just emotional moments during the event. We wanted them to be treated as powerful evidence, real knowledge that can help shape policies and solutions. We believe that lived experience is not just valuable, it is essential for real change.

We worked hard to ensure the conference would be truly inclusive. People from different countries, cultures, and languages will be able to participate. Simple, clear language will be used so no one feels left behind. Support will be provided to those who may need extra help to join or speak. Inclusion is not just a promise, it is in every decision we make. We also made sure to connect care justice with climate justice. Care leavers are often more affected by environmental changes but rarely invited to these discussions. We will talk about how climate issues affect vulnerable young people, how care leavers can be part of green jobs and a sustainable future, and why caring for people and caring for the planet must go hand in hand.

Looking back, we have already achieved so much before the conference has even happened. We have created a global format designed by care leavers, for care leavers. We have planned sessions on identity, belonging, housing, mental health, transitions, and more. We have built a structure where care leavers can be speakers, moderators, hosts, and experts, not just audience members. And we have committed to making the event accessible, inclusive, and meaningful for all. It has not been easy. We have worked across different time zones while managing jobs, studies, and personal lives. But we kept going because our purpose was bigger than our challenges. When we felt tired or uncertain, we reminded each other why we were here. The dream of a global platform shaped by lived experience kept us moving forward.

For me, this work is deeply personal. I spent ten years in care. I know what it is like to be left out of decisions that affect your life. That is why I give my time and energy to this work. I want the next generation of care leavers to grow up knowing their voice matters, their experience has value, and they can lead, not just follow. This is not just a conference. It is a message to the world: care leavers are not just people who receive support, we are leaders, creators, and changemakers. Our voices belong in conversations about justice, sustainability, and human rights. Real inclusion is possible when it is built with love, respect, and purpose.

Do you want to be part of this conference, as a practitioner, expert, or someone with care experience? Do you want to know more about when it will happen and how you can be involved? If yes, comment below or connect with me directly. Let us work together to make this possible in 2026. Let us understand every gap, take action, and turn our solutions into real, implementable recommendations. 

We are still building, but we are not starting from nothing. We are building on care, honesty, courage, and hope, and that is the strongest foundation we could ever have