Dear Friend

Welcome to the latest Staf newsletter, we hope this finds you well.  
 
July is a typically a quieter time here at Staf as our team take some much-needed time off to recharge and for many juggle childcare and work. We have however been busy planning for the next quarter.  
 
We are delighted to have welcomed Thomas Carlton to the team following his secondment from The Promise Scotland. His passion is infectious, and we look forward to sharing more about his role within Staf over the coming weeks and months; and how our members, partners and care experienced people, will be actively sought out to collaborate and test out Scotland’s approach to ‘Moving On’.  
 
The cost-of-living continues to have an overly detrimental impact on care-experienced people and our campaign to secure a Guaranteed Income for care leavers in Scotland, similar to that which is currently being piloted in Wales continues. The need for this in Scotland was highlighted by The Trussell Trust’s research on foodbank use in Scotland which revealed that 1 in 5 of those accessing foodbanks had experience of care. You can read my response to this research and about the impact a Guaranteed Income could have here. 
 
Our focus groups and forums will be restarting in September, facilitated by Bobby Jones. If you’ve not already done so, you can sign up to them at www.staf.scot/events. Here you can also join the Each and Every Child introduction to framing webinar which is free for Staf membership organisations and really is a must for anyone looking to keep the promise and reduce stigma through the intentional use of language. We will also soon be opening bookings for our Staf Conference which is taking place on the 22 November at the Stirling Court Hotel which will also be focusing on The Promise Plan 21-24 and beyond. If you or your organisation are interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at the event please contact marion@staf.scot.  
 
Plans for the next Cross Party Group meeting on Wednesday 13^th September are in place and we’d love to see you there as care leavers share their thoughts on stigma in education settings. If you would like to attend either in person or online please complete the form on our website.  

As you may know we are in the process of creating an online channel to host the Legacy Work of the Life Changes Trust care experienced programme. To ensure the site serves those who will access we are asking future users to complete a short survey. Your input and time is much appreciated. 
 
Ruth, Katrina and Chris have been busy working on our three Youth Justice Voices projects; Youth Just Us for Central Scotland, Inside Out based in HMPYOI Polmont and our new care and justice experienced steering group for young people in the North East. If you support any young people who have care experience and have been in conflict with the law please drop ruth@staf.scot a line to see how we can work with them to make change and create connections.  
 
As you can see the next quarter and beyond is shaping up to be a time to learn and connect with fellow members and continue on our journey to keep the Promise for our care leavers, thanks for continuing to be on this journey with us. 

Best wishes, 

Jo Derrick

Staf CEO