FAQs

The Champions Board is a group for care-experienced young people in Moray to share their views, work on projects, and speak directly to decision-makers to create real change.

Anyone aged 16–26 in Moray who has care experience — this could mean you’re in care now or have been in the past.

It means you’ve had any time being looked after — this could be in foster care, kinship care, residential care, or with support from social work. 

It’s a chance to use your voice to make real change for care-experienced young people across Moray. You’ll work on campaigns, meet decision-makers, and help shape services that affect your life. Along the way, you’ll build skills in leadership, communication, teamwork, and planning events. Plus, you’ll meet new people, go on trips, and be part of something that really matters.

You can message us through Moray Engage, speak to a worker you trust, or email a member of the Champions Board staff team (check our Contact folder!).

A campaign is when the Champions Board focuses on an issue that matters to care-experienced young people and works to make change. That could mean speaking to decision-makers, gathering stories, creating content, and raising awareness over time.

Our first campaign is about extending free bus travel to age 26 for care-experienced young people. Right now, free travel ends at 22 — and that doesn’t reflect the real needs of young people. We’re gathering stories, raising awareness, and getting ready to speak directly to decision-makers.

No — the Champions Board focuses on one campaign at a time. We put our energy into making as much progress as we can, and we stick with it until we:
• Achieve what we set out to do, or
• Hit a wall that means we can’t move forward right now.

Once a campaign wraps up, we go back to the wider care-experienced community to ask:
“What should we take on next?”

We’ll use:
• Moray Engage to check in with people
• Residential visits and conversations with young people
• Voting or polls on the site to help decide the next big issue

That way, the next campaign reflects what care-experienced young people in Moray really want to change — and the Champions Board gets to work making it happen.

The direction of our campaigns comes from the wider care-experienced community — your stories, your experiences, your views.
The Champions Board members take those messages forward, lead the work, and make sure your voices are heard in the right places.

If you’re care-experienced and want to share your story, we want to hear from you. Your voice can help shape the campaign and show why change is needed.
If you’re a partner, professional, or ally, you can support by amplifying the message or providing helpful information — just contact us through Moray Engage.

As well as campaigns, the Champions Board runs events and activities for Care Day and Care Leavers Week — these are chances to celebrate care-experienced young people, raise awareness, and bring people together in fun and meaningful ways.

These events are always planned by Champions Board members, based on what matters to you.

We also use social media and Moray Engage to stay in touch, share updates, and ask for your ideas.

In the future, there will be a special tab on Moray Engage where care-experienced young people can suggest ideas or vote on what you’d like to see at Care Day or Care Leavers Week — so the celebrations truly reflect what you want.

Moray Engage is our digital hub where we share updates, gather your views, and show what the Champions Board is working on. It’s a place to connect, contribute, and stay informed.

We meet every two weeks at Winchester House in Elgin. Sometimes we may have trips or extra sessions. 

No — but we do ask that you try to attend as much as you can. The more you’re involved, the more your voice helps shape what we do. It also helps build trust, friendships, and keeps the group strong. If you can’t make it sometimes, that’s okay — just let us know.

Yes — we always have crisps and juice or water available. Sometimes we’ll have extra snacks or pizza if it’s a longer session or special event. You don’t need to bring anything with you.

No — this group is just for Champions Board members.

If someone wants to join, they must be referred to Marc or Abby and have a meeting with one of them and a current group member before attending any sessions. This helps make sure the group stays safe, welcoming, and right for everyone involved.

We may go on trips when it supports the campaign we’re working on.
This could include visiting decision-makers, attending events, or gathering stories and opinions. All trips are planned with the group and linked to the work we’re doing together.

The Champions Board is run by care-experienced young people, who decide what the group focuses on and lead the work. It’s facilitated and supported by the CLD Youth Work Team and the Throughcare and Aftercare Team to help make your ideas happen and keep things running smoothly.

You can get in touch with us in any of these ways:
• Email Marc: marc.doherty@moray.gov.uk
• Email Abby: abby.wilson@moray.gov.uk
• Message us through Moray Engage
• Find us on Facebook: Moray Champions Board

There’s also a referral form you can use to share ideas, feedback, or requests — this is available through Moray Engage too. However you contact us, we’re always happy to hear from you.

That’s totally okay. You’ll always be asked first, and you can say no at any time.

Yes — just let us know, and we can arrange a private chat or follow-up support.

Yes — we love coming out to hear from young people where they’re most comfortable. Ask your worker or get in touch to arrange it.

We have a dedicated podcast team made up of Champions Board members who plan, record, and produce each episode. They choose the topics, ask the questions, and create the show from start to finish.

We usually record a new episode every 6 weeks or so — depending on what else the group is working on.

Yes! We’ll be using Moray Engage to ask what topics you’d like to hear us cover. You can also message us directly with ideas — especially if it’s something that matters to care-experienced young people.

If you’re part of the Champions Board, just let the team know you’re interested. We’ll help you get involved — whether you want to speak on the mic, help with editing, or work behind the scenes.

You can find all our podcasts and videos on:
• Moray Engage
• Champions Board Moray Facebook page
• Spotify and Apple Podcasts – just search “Moray Champions Board”

We also have QR code posters in schools, and youth workers carry QR cards you can scan with your phone to access our content anytime.

If you can’t find what you’re looking for, just ask a team member for help.

Please email Marc or Abby — their contact details are listed on the Champions Board Moray page on Moray Engage.

 They’ll arrange an initial meeting with the young person and a current group member to make sure it’s the right fit before they join. 

Yes — we’re happy to arrange a visit to explain the Champions Board and hear from young people directly.

We work with care-experienced young people aged 16–26.

The group works best when people are regularly involved — it helps build trust, relationships, and keeps things moving forward. But we understand that sometimes things come up, and it’s okay to miss a session now and then. Just let us know if you can’t make it.

We gather your views and pass them on to local decision-makers, including councillors, service managers, and sometimes the Scottish Government.

Definitely. You’ll be supported and never put on the spot.

Sometimes it might feel like they don’t — but your voice matters more than you think.

Even when change is slow, speaking up can plant the seed that makes a difference later. Every time you use your voice, you’re standing up for yourself and others — and that’s powerful.

Don’t stop speaking your truth. You never know who’s listening — or how far your words can reach.

We check in regularly, ask for your feedback, and update everyone on progress through Moray Engage.

We use a range of tools to help with creative projects and content creation, including:
• Filming equipment – cameras, tripods, ring lights
• Podcasting gear – RØDECaster, microphones, headphones
• MacBook – used for podcast editing and design work (Champions Board use only)

We sometimes allow trusted partners to borrow filming or creative equipment

To borrow filming equipment or other kit, you must:
• Get written permission from Marc or Abby
• Complete a sign-out form noting condition and return date
• Take full responsibility for looking after it
• Return items on time and in the same condition
• Never leave the equipment unattended or let others use it

🔒 The MacBook is for Champions Board use only and is not available for loan or use outside the group.
If you’re working on a filming project, you can transfer footage from our SD cards to your own device and use your own editing software.
We do not offer technical support for external devices.

🎙️ The RØDECaster can only be requested if you already know how to use it.
We do not provide technical support or training for setting it up. If you’re not confident using it, we recommend trying one of the alternatives below.

No problem! There are easy and free ways to record a podcast using your own phone, tablet, or laptop.

Try these apps and tools:
• Anchor (Spotify for Podcasters) – all-in-one podcast app
• GarageBand – ideal for Apple users
• Audacity – free editing software for PC/Mac
• Voice Memos (iPhone) / Easy Voice Recorder (Android) – simple recording
• Zoom or Teams – record online interviews with built-in features

Top tips:
• Use headphones with a mic
• Record in a quiet space
• Don’t stress about being perfect — you can edit later!

Yes — if you’re part of the Champions Board and working on a group project, we’ll support you to use the equipment safely and creatively. You’ll get help where needed, and you won’t be expected to figure things out alone.

We use social media to:
• Share updates about what we’re working on
• Celebrate care-experienced young people and their achievements
• Raise awareness about important issues
• Promote events like Care Day and Care Leavers Week
• Reach more people who might not be able to attend sessions

• Facebook: Moray Champions Board
• Spotify / Apple Podcasts: Search “Moray Champions Board”
• Moray Engage: Our hub for updates, content, and feedback
 (More platforms may be added in the future!)

Only if you give us clear permission. You’ll always be asked before your photo, video, name, or quote is used. You can say no at any time, and we’ll always respect that.

Yes! If you’re part of the group and want to help shape what we share, speak to Marc or Abby.
You can also use Moray Engage to submit content ideas — like campaign messages, artwork, or creative writing.

Tell a staff member straight away. We take all concerns seriously and will remove any content you’re not comfortable with.

All posts are managed by the Champions Board staff team (Marc and Abby), with input and ideas from group members.
Nothing is posted without being reviewed to make sure it’s safe, respectful, and protects people’s privacy.

We’ll only tag you if:
• You’ve given permission in writing, and
• You’ve said it’s okay to be tagged in that specific post

We will never tag you automatically or share your handle without checking first.

We’ve created a simple visual guide to help everyone understand how to use social media respectfully, safely, and in line with our values.

Here’s our Social Media Code 👇 

This code reminds us to:
• Always ask for permission
• Only tag people with their clear consent
• Not message staff on social media
• Share ideas through the proper channels
• Be respectful online at all times

If you have questions or want to talk more about how we use social media, just ask Marc or Abby.