Anne talks about being part of Voices for a Better Future and what this means to her. She talks about improving services for others, like projects with Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and Information Commissioners Office.
My name is Anne, and I have been a member of Voices for a Better Future since its creation in 2022. I joined because I was passionate about creating meaningful change for survivors of the care system. The group’s purpose—to provide a strategic platform where people with lived experience can influence and contribute to policy development and decision-making—strongly resonated with me.
At the time I joined, I was looking for something constructive to focus on, as I had been dealing with challenges in my personal life. With the support of Future Pathways, including counselling and assistance with a house move, I was able to overcome many of those difficulties. This put me in a position where I felt ready to engage in something positive, and VFABF provided exactly that opportunity.
As part of the group, I have been involved in a number of important initiatives. Alongside others, I worked with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service to examine the experiences of survivors navigating the justice system. Through this partnership, we contributed to efforts aimed at improving how survivors are supported throughout court processes.
I also shared my experiences with the Information Commissioner’s Office, in their Better Records Together campaign. I spoke to them regarding the challenges of accessing my in-care records. This was an important opportunity to highlight barriers and advocate for improvements in information access for others in similar situations.
In addition, our group has been involved in the development of peer support networks, which are now successfully operating across Scotland. I feel very privileged to be part of a group made up of individuals with lived experience of the care system. Through this work, I have not only contributed to change but also learned a great deal from both fellow members and the organisations that have supported us by sharing their knowledge and work with survivors.
