As he took his place as a Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYP) earlier this year, Michael Archibald felt a sense of pride at how far he had come.
The teenager entered kinship care at the age of 10 and moved through the care system across East Renfrewshire, before becoming estranged at 17 and moving into supported accommodation.
Now, as one of two dedicated MSYPs representing Care Experienced youngsters across Scotland, he is determined to bring his own experience to bear to improve the system.
The 18-year-old, who is a first-year psychology student at the University of Strathclyde, said:
I have a deep and personal connection with issues surrounding care experience, so it’s my goal to leave a legacy for future generations.
“I’ve been living on my own since I was 17 and became independent quite young.
“I really hope when it comes to other care experienced people who don’t feel like they have a voice that I can represent them and help make a difference. I want to say to them ‘Don’t feel afraid, you can do this.’”
Positive change
MSYPs are 14 – 25-year-olds from every part of Scotland who have been elected to represent Scotland’s young people and campaign for positive change. Michael started his two-year term on February 1.
The Who Cares? Scotland charity is a partner of the Scottish Youth Parliament with two seats for Care Experienced members as MSYPs. Although other local authority MSYPs may also have experience of care, these two seats ensure that Care Experienced young people are always represented in the biggest youth forum in Scotland.
Michael added: “I know how it feels when you don’t have options or things to look forward to, and you feel like there are so many barriers and you feel trapped.
“But I’ve come from nothing and I now feel I can give myself a pat on the back and feel proud of myself. I want to pursue a Masters Degree in Psychology and do some kind of research so I can make things better for people and learn about them.”
Michael says he has blossomed since starting Strathclyde and knew on his first visit that it was the place for him.
He has been supported by Strathclyde Cares, a UK first initiative, which helps care experienced individuals access higher education and provides students with a named care experience advisor, mentoring, support with digital inclusion and help with accommodation and graduation costs among other things.
-344x258.jpeg "Michael Archibald at the Strathclyde mural")
Michael is also featured on a mural on the Strathclyde campus and was one of a team of young people who led the Cathedral Street arm of the Gable End Mural project. The mural is one of five to be installed across major areas in Scotland and which are designed and created by care experienced young people in those areas with the Articulate Cultural, an arts charity which works to activate change that improves the lives of marginalised young Scots.
Strathclyde support
He said: “After I applied to Strathclyde I met with some of the staff on an Open Day and they were so supportive that I immediately fell in love with the University.
“For me, it’s all about the support because if that’s not there, I wouldn’t be able to be here.
“There’s always someone on hand to give me advice. I was struggling recently with essay writing and the help was there for me. It’s so straightforward.”
Young ambassador
Deborah Duncan, Senior Widening Access Support Officer at Strathclyde, said: “Michael has thrived during his time at Strathclyde, embracing the support available to him through the University’s Strathclyde Cares package for care experienced students.
“He is actively involved in our care experienced community, collaborating with staff and students alike in developing support for care experienced students.
“Michael has done fantastic work and is a fabulous ambassador for raising awareness for care experienced young people.”
Michael also hopes he can inspire others to reach for the stars after a celestial art-work he designed led to a dream collaboration of co-designing a charity tote bag for High Street giants John Lewis.
Award-winning design
Last year he was selected by Who Cares? Scotland to design the bag, now being sold in John Lewis and Waitrose stores, after his North Star inspired design was shortlisted.
It came about via the John Lewis Building Happier Futures programme which aims to identify and recruit talented people who’ve experienced care.
Despite being initially apprehensive after being invited to a design workshop with the Saatchi & Saatchi advertising agency and a John Lewis in-house design team, the self-taught artist says he now couldn’t be more proud.
The teenager, who was born in Paisley and grew up in Newton Mearns, said: “I love doing art and being creative and have always used it for my wellbeing. It’s been a comforting hobby for me as when I was younger didn’t have that much going on. I couldn’t add or subtract but I could draw.
“But I never thought it would lead to an opportunity like this one and I was worried at first as it was so professional, and I just draw for fun, but I had a fantastic day.
“As far as the design went, I wanted to do something personal for me and wanted it to be eye catching, simple and iconic.
“It’s really exciting and it’s something I can definitely look back on with pride. I love the idea that people will use the bag in their everyday lives and take it on holiday. This bag has a use and will go places - places I haven’t been.
“I hope it shows others in my position that anything is possible. I’m passionate about leaving a legacy for future generations who grow up in the care system. I was told that “love is not guaranteed within the care system”, but all of our care experienced youth have the right to feel equal, respected, and most importantly, to feel loved.”
Made from recycled bottles, the shopper is available online and in Waitrose and John Lewis stores. Profits from each £12 bag sold will go to Action for Children, Home-Start UK and Who Cares? Scotland.
Louise Hunter, CEO of Who Cares? Scotland, said: "We’re so proud of Michael and everything he has achieved so far. As an MSYP we are confident he will be an articulate representative for his fellow members, and he has wowed us with his creativity through the creation of his tote bag in collaboration with the John Lewis Partnership and the Building Happier Futures programme.
"We can’t wait to see what he does next."