Amplifying the voices of care experienced children and young people
We are the national charity for care experienced children and young people in Wales. Founded on the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, we ensure that those with direct experience of the care system lead the conversation about their own futures.
Voices From Care Cymru advances the welfare of care experienced children and young people in Wales. We create spaces where young people can speak for themselves, shape policy and hold institutions to account. Everything we do is grounded in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and driven by the expertise of those who have lived the care system first-hand.
“What we are asking for is no more than any child has a right to — the right to lead a decent life, as part of a decent society.”
Rights-based
Every action we take is grounded in the UNCRC. Children and young people are rights-holders, not passive recipients of services.
Youth-led
Care experienced young people lead our work, shape our priorities and hold decision-makers to account in their own words.
Trauma-informed
We recognise the impact of adverse experiences and design every programme, relationship and space to promote safety and healing.
Accountability
We hold government, services and institutions to the promises they make. Transparency and oversight are non-negotiable.
Love-led
Care should be rooted in genuine human connection. Every child deserves warmth, belonging and unconditional positive regard.
Practical & deliverable
We champion change that is achievable within existing structures. Ambitious goals anchored in realistic, costed and measurable action.
The Evidence
Why this matters
The Waterhouse Report
The publication of Lost in Care exposed systemic abuse in North Wales children's homes and set out 72 recommendations for reform. It became the catalyst for a new era of accountability and the founding vision for Voices From Care Cymru.
VFCC established
Voices From Care Cymru was formally established as a registered charity, giving care experienced children and young people in Wales their own dedicated national organisation for the first time.
Rights of Children and Young Persons (Wales) Measure
Wales became the first UK nation to embed the UNCRC into domestic law, a landmark that VFCC had long campaigned for and that underpins our entire approach to advocacy.
Radical Reform Summits begin
Welsh Government commissioned VFCC to deliver the Radical Reform Summits, bringing care experienced young people face to face with Ministers and senior officials to shape policy directly.
Radical Reform Declaration
The Radical Reform Declaration was published, setting out the shared commitments between Welsh Government and care experienced young people, co-authored through the Summit process.
Senedd Elections Manifesto
VFCC published its Manifesto for the Senedd Elections 2026, calling for practical, deliverable change across restraint, health and wellbeing, and independent living — developed and led by care experienced young people.
VFCC is governed by a Board of Trustees and led by a senior team with deep expertise in children's rights, social policy and youth participation. Our patron brings national visibility to the cause of care experienced young people.
Patron
Michael Sheen
Actor, activist and proud Welshman, Michael Sheen has been a tireless advocate for social justice in Wales. As Patron of Voices From Care Cymru, he amplifies the voices of care experienced children and young people on the national stage, using his platform to challenge stigma and champion systemic reform.
D A Jones
Chief Executive Officer
Catriona Williams OBE
Co-Chair
Jo-Anne Griffith
Co-Chair
Graham Roddis
Treasurer
Voices From Care Cymru operates at every level of the system — from the Senedd to the living room. We provide the secretariat for the Cross-Party Group on Care Experienced Children and Young People, ensuring that the voices of those with lived experience are heard in the heart of Welsh democracy.
We deliver oral and written evidence to Senedd committees, brief Members of the Senedd, and work alongside Welsh Government on policy development. Our Radical Reform Summits bring care experienced young people into direct dialogue with Ministers and senior officials.
Our partnership with CASCADE at Cardiff University ensures that our advocacy is grounded in the strongest available research evidence. We also work closely with local authorities, health boards and third-sector organisations across Wales to deliver frontline programmes.
Our Programmes
Radical Reform Summits
Commissioned by Welsh Government, these summits bring care experienced young people face to face with Ministers to shape national policy.
Sky's the Limit
An early intervention programme for care experienced children aged 8–14, building confidence, resilience and positive relationships through creative activities.
Peer Support Cafés
Safe, informal spaces where care experienced young people can connect with peers, share experiences and access support in their own communities.
Prison Peer Support
Peer support programmes operating in HMP Berwyn, HMP Cardiff and HMP Parc, connecting care experienced people in the criminal justice system.
Bibliotherapy Journal
A therapeutic writing programme that uses literature and creative expression to support wellbeing and help young people process their experiences.
The Adaptable Chef
Practical cooking and life skills sessions that build independence, confidence and community — because learning to feed yourself well matters.
The Care Experience Scarf is a powerful symbol of identity and solidarity, designed and worn by care experienced people across Wales. Through our partnership with CASCADE at Cardiff University, we ensure that our campaigns and policy positions are grounded in robust academic research.
Wales: a trailblazer for children's rights
Wales has led the UK in legislating to protect children and young people — but the outcomes data shows there is still much further to go.
Get Involved
Stand with care experienced young people
Read our manifesto for the Senedd Elections 2026, shaped entirely by the voices of care experienced children and young people. Then join us in making it a reality.