Advocacy In Action
VOYCE has created a special comic book both in Te Reo Māori and English. This tells a beautiful and touching advocacy story about a child in the care system. Please have a read and allow yourself to be empowered by the positive possibilities that can come from making your voice heard.
Children’s voices need to be kept at the centre of all the decisions made about them.
CARE STORIES Every care experienced person’s story is a unique and special gift. These deeply personal words have been graciously shared with us by wonderful people with extraordinary strength of character. VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai is very grateful to them for enriching us all with their powerful stories – each of which has been assigned a random number as a special tribute to the close to 6000 care stories presently being lived in New Zealand.
OUR STORY We are VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai, which stands for the Voice Of the Young and Care Experienced – Listen to me. We believe the voices of children and young people in care need to be kept at the centre of all the decisions made about them. We are a totally independent non-governmental organisation that exists to amplify the voices of children in care and ensure that they are heard. VOYCE was codesigned by children with care experience for children with care experience.
HOW VOYCE – WHAKARONGO MAI ADVOCATES FOR YOU
VOYCE will listen to you about your care experience
We will help you to get the information you need
We support you to think about who is best placed to help you share your views
We will help you to express your views on any matter
VOYCE will help you to understand any decisions which may impact on you and will explain why those decisions were taken.
Amplifying your voices and standing up for you.
OUR NEWS
Here are some of the exciting things that VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai have been doing lately. Ultimately it’s about creating meaningful change in the care system as envisioned by children in care.
Lived experience needed to improve OT Oversight Bill
“VOYCE will continue to champion the voices of lived experience and have positive influence. We must work alongside decisionmakers as they implement legislation and evolve systems. Our children deserve to thrive and to be safe,” said VOYCE Chief Executive, Tracie Shipton.
Malachi was never given a voice
Our response to the Ombudsman's findings into the preventable death of 5 year-old Malachi Subecz.
Pounamu for Every Child in Care
"Timoti Moran is a carver who wants to give every child in state care a pounamu pendant to call their own. He’s launched Tū Māia, in partnership with VOYCE - Whakarongo Mai".
Being in care can be challenging from time to time. If you need help, don’t hesitate to reach out.
OUR EVENTS
Come along to a VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai event, meet other children and young people in care, have fun and be heard!
VOYCE Tamariki Magazine
Care Experienced Rangatahi worked together to create a fun and cool magazine for care experienced tamariki.
Youth Week 2022
Care experienced tamariki celebrate Youth Week 2022 with VOYCE Whakarongo Mai
Levin Horse Riding
Care experienced tamariki spent the day at the Westridge Equestrian Centre, Levin. They learned all about the horses, grooming and riding them.
Awesome individuals share their experiences in care so you can learn how they take on life
