Introducing Care Day 2024!

Introducing Care Day 2024!
Care Day 2024 will be celebrated across the world on Friday 16th February. Each year EPIC
Care Community and Youth Council members develop a Care Day theme, and for their 2024
celebration they have chosen “I am what I choose to become”.
On the EPIC Youth Councils, there is a diversity of talent and interest. From aspiring nurses,
paramedics and social care workers to Lego enthusiasts, creatives, and footballers, as well as
young people who have embarked on careers as teachers, social workers, and digital
marketers. These inspirational young people have overcome challenges and are embracing
their future. For #CareDay24, they want to focus on other children in care and send a strong
message – aim high, dream big, and reach for your goals.
Plans are underway for a range of activities across the country, culminating in a Care Day
Carnival in Limerick. For Care Day 2024, EPIC Youth Council members want to create fun and
positive Care Day memories for their younger peers. EPIC will also hold virtual Care Day
events to ensure any child, regardless of their living situation, can get involved.
Care Day was established in February 2016 as a day to celebrate the positive experiences
and contributions of children and young people in care or with care experience. It began in
Ireland and the UK as a joint initiative across five children’s rights charities, including
Become (England), Who Cares? Scotland, Voices from Care (Wales), Voice of Young People
in Care (Northern Ireland), and EPIC.
EPIC’s Care Day celebration is done in partnership with Tusla and is funded by the
Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth – both of whom EPIC
thank for the continued support of this important day!
In-person Care Day 2024 celebration – not for public dissemination.
• Spaces are limited so register early.
• Children (under 18) must be accompanied by an adult. Registration link for
professionals/foster parents: www.eventbrite.ie/e/careday24-carnival-tickets
803860657867?aff=oddtdtcreator
Virtual Participation Events for Care Day 2024 – for public dissemination.

The Care Day Lyric Jam: Write lyrics for a rap or a spoken
word poem on the theme, I am what I choose to become.
Send us your entry with your first name and age and ‘Lyric
Jam’ in the subject line by 5pm on Thursday 8 February.
You can also make a voice recording of you performing
your rap/poem and we will share it on our social media
channels for Care Day.

Care Day Art Challenge: Make a collage on the theme, “I
am what I choose to become.” A collage is a piece of art
made by sticking different different materials, like
photographs and pieces of paper or fabric, on to a piece
of paper. Include a short-written piece about your collage
and remember to let us know your first name and age.
Deadline for entries is Tuesday 13 February at 5pm.

Care Day Space Decorators: Show us how you celebrate
Care Day! Share a photo or video of your decorated space
with us by Wednesday 21st February and include some
information about your display.

Email entries to participation@epiconline.ie or post them to EPIC, Empowering People in Care, 7 Red
Cow Lane, Smithfield, Dublin 7. For the Care Day Art Challenge, please send a scan your art if sending
by email. If you have any questions, get in touch! You can WhatsApp the Youth Engagement team on
083 433 6447. Alternatively, tag us on social media on Care Day and we will share your creations!

Solidarity Action
People are invited and encouraged to show their support on Care Day by sharing a video
message of solidarity and celebration on February 16. Together we can amplify Care Day
and the call for children and young people with care-experience to aim high, dream big, and
reach for their goals. In the words of a Council member, “never assume our past will
determine our future.”
Remember to tag EPIC and use the hashtags #CareDay24 and #CareAware.
If you are organising a #CareDay24 event in your locality and would like us to promote it for
you, please send a summary and link to carolinereid@epiconline.ie.
Every journey starts with a first step! So be a #CareAware champion for Care Day 2024!