Voices for a Better Future is a lived experience group. Every member is registered with Future Pathways. The group works with staff at Future Pathways and at other services on different projects. These projects help to improve services and raise awareness about issues that affect people. The group wants to make sure that services support people properly.
Members of the group bring their own personal insights and lived experience of Scottish care settings. This helps to shape Future Pathways. And it helps Future Pathways to:
• make the service better
• check how the service is doing
• make policies and practices better
Members work together to make sure that Future Pathways and other services:
• include people
• respond to people’s needs
• are shaped by people’s lived experiences
The group has 9 members. Membership of the group will be reviewed each year.
This will give other people the chance to join the group.
Voices for a Better Future are already making a difference. They are taking part in several projects and key areas of work. You can find out more about the group in the updates and features below.
Rikki took part in Caring Scotland, a creative oral history project from National Theatre of Scotland. The project documents the lives and experiences of at least 100 members of the care experienced community in Scotland. Here, Rikki reflects on taking part.
In 2025, Bradley published a book about his life. It is called Shadow in the Dark. He writes about his time in foster care and in prison, and fighting for justice through the courts. Here, Bradley shares his journey.
In their four years together, Voices for a Better Future have created hope, support and connection. They help to shape services and advocate for change, all while supporting each other in their own personal journeys. Here, members reflect on what the group means to them.
Discover the power of speaking up and sharing experiences. Jeanette reflects on being part of Voices for a Better Future and helping to improve services for others.
Understand more about how shared experience can bring connection. Bradley reflects on his time with Voices for a Better Future. He talks about learning people skills, gaining strength and becoming more open. He also talks about the ways services must listen to people with lived experience so they can truly meet people’s needs.
Hear how lived experience can help shape services. 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.
Learn how mutual support can bring strength and connection. Through Voices for a Better Future, Rikki finds shared lived experience and sees how the group can walk a path together.
VOICES brings together individual films from 6 members of Voices for a Better Future. Each person has their own unique story to tell; together they show resilience, change, determination, hope, healing and inspiration.
From being unheard to standing up in court for others, Yvonne’s story shows the power of someone saying “I believe you”.
Owning his story and finding the courage to speak up, Bradley shows that justice is possible – and that one voice can inspire another.
Through sheer determination and creativity, Joyce built a life and a home for her family – and now uses her strength to help others.
From the East End of Glasgow to a military life of discipline and fighting for those who can’t, Gordon proves you are not defined by where you start.
Volunteering and working with an organisation that supports those leaving care, Pauline shows how support and connection can turn survival into purpose.
After a life helping others, Rikki’s journey reminds us that true strength comes from learning to heal yourself too.
Voices for a Better Future is our lived experience voice group. May 2026 marks four years of the group’s work. Find out more.
We are looking for people to join our lived experience group and our Leadership Team. Find out more about how you can get involved.
Rikki shares his experience of volunteering with different groups and projects. He talks about two projects at Future Pathways – Making Pathways Together and Voices for a Better Future. He also shares his experience of opening up at Andy’s Man Club. And about advocating for support with Stroke Association and Stroke Awareness Month.
We’re delighted to share our latest animation, created in collaboration with Electrify and members of Voices for a Better Future.
Information and guidance has been produced by the members of Voices for a Better Future to help anyone who is trying to access their records from when they were in care as a child.
Pauline shares her experience of using her voice to improve services, support herself and help others.
Joyce creates a range of wonderful pieces, including baby knitwear, embroidery and artwork.
We are delighted to announce that Future Pathways’ voices group has now been working together for two years. Find out more here.
Yvonne found making pottery to be therapeutic and a chance to express creativity. Here, she shares photographs of her impressive creations.
Find out more about how Future Pathways supported Rikki and how he participated in Voices for a Better Future.
