At Orchard Fostering, we celebrate our carers and the people in our care every day. On Friday, February 16th, the whole world gets involved. Find out more about Care Day below, as we take you through everything you need to know about Care Day and let you know about the lovely events and trainings we have organised to celebrate.

If you’re interested in foster care, please reach out to Orchard Fostering today. We’re available on the phone or via email – you can also fill out a form directly on our contact page. 

What is EPIC Care Day?

EPIC – or Empowering People in Care – are an Irish voluntary organisation, dedicated to advocating for the rights of children and young adults in the care system. Their mission is to ensure that all young people in care can have an empowering lived experience while in care. For the past seven years, EPIC have organised Care Day – a multinational celebration of the rights of young people with experience of care. Organised by five children’s rights charities across Ireland and the United Kingdom, Care Day encompasses talks, discussions, trainings and information evenings, all dedicated to helping young people get the most out of their their fostering journey.

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.

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 we thank for the continued support of this important day!

We hope you join us this year, in celebration of our care-experienced community! More information can be found on Epiconline.ie

What foster care events are held on EPIC Care Day?

While EPIC Care Day is technically a one-day affair, over the years it has evolved into a weeklong event. In the past year, foster carers and the young people in their care took part in a wide range of fun activities:

  • Best Decorated Space: Take some DIY tips from us and be in with the chance to win a takeaway voucher.
  • The Great Care Day Bake Off: Dust off the aprons and get baking (a great way to bond with your child!). Categories include Best Decorated, Most Creative and Biggest Cake!
  • Calling All Writers: Get the creative juices flowing (all that reading will surely have helped) and pen a piece about your own personal care journey.

There are tonnes of activities to choose from throughout the week – with each one offering opportunities to bond with your foster child and get them talking and thinking about their foster care journey.

This year for 2024 Orchard Fostering will be running an event for all of our carers and young people to join on the 16th of February in Dublin, where lots of fun and activities will take place. Please RSVP to the admin team or your link worker if you wish to attend.

There will be a competition for all of our young people to get involved in expressing the theme, what ‘’I am what I choose to become’’ and what it means to them with prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place.

Make sure to check out the #CareDay24 hashtag for information on local events.

I’m interested in the foster care events and foster care webinars being organised for Care Day. How can I find out more information?

If you’re looking for more information on Care Day, you’ve come to the right place. You can find lots of information about events on EPIC’s website – as well as checking out the Care Day blog.

Orchard Fostering will be hosting a foster care information session on the 16th February at 12.30pm-3.30pm in Dublin, email your details to info@orchardfostering.ie to register. Check out our social media pages for more information about Care Day 24. We’d love to hear from you.

If you’re interested in foster care, please reach out to Orchard Fostering today. We’re available on the phone or via email – you can also fill out a form directly on our contact page. 

If you are a foster carer looking to transfer agencies please contact us today for further assistance.