EPIC, Empowering People celebrate 10 years in Cork with launch of new five-year Strategic Plan
Contact: Caroline Reid, Communications Manager | carolinereid@epiconline.ie | 087 216 2496
This week, EPIC, Empowering People in Care, is celebrating its ten-year anniversary in Cork.
Speaking at an event held in their Cork office this week, EPIC CEO Marissa Ryan said: “EPIC was established in 1999, and 10 years ago we opened our office in Cork. Since then, EPIC’s Cork team have worked really hard to provide an independent advocacy service to children and young people in state care and after care in the region, while also empowering them to participate in campaigns and events and providing vital research on their situation and experiences.”
Based out of Millerd Street in Cork city, three EPIC Advocates work with children and young people across Cork and the Southern region to ensure that their views are represented in matters relating to their care and situation when they leave care. The celebration coincides with the launch of EPIC’s new Strategic Plan which sets out the national children’s rights organisation’s goals for the next five years.
“As we mark this ten-year milestone and the launch of our new Strategy, we would like to thank our Cork friends, partners, and social work and social care colleagues for their support and positive engagement with EPIC since we first opened our doors in Cork in 2011. Collaboration is a key way of working for EPIC, and that is clearly elaborated on in our new Strategic Plan. I know that we will continue to work together with all our Cork partners to build a society where every care-experienced child and young person is valued, respected and heard.”
To request and EPIC Advocate or to learn more about EPIC’s National Advocacy Service and participation programme for children in care and young people with care experience, visit www.epiconline.ie.
END
Notes to the Editor
- Contact details for EPIC Cork
- EPIC works with children and young people who are in the care system or who have experience of living in care, including those in relative care, foster care, and residential care. EPIC also works with young people preparing to leave care and in aftercare services, and with adults with care experience.
- EPIC’s committed to empowering care-experienced children and young people also involves a participation programme which provides a space for them to connect with peers and have fun, as well as opportunities for action by working on campaigns and projects and speaking directly to decision makers about the care system. Central to this work are EPIC’s National Youth Councils. The Councils act as consultative groups that inform the EPIC Board and staff on specific issues, support EPIC’s policy, research and advocacy work, and provide advice on the strategic direction of EPIC.
- EPIC, Empowering People in Care – Strategic Plan 2022 – 2027 Download