Renfrewshire Council

Colleagues at Glenburn Early Learning and Childcare Centre (ELCC) told us that becoming Promise Keepers has illuminated their shared purpose and given them the tools to positively impact the children they care for.

Teaching staff, office staff, and the Soft FM colleagues who keep the place clean and secure, all approach their daily tasks with fresh eyes and a commitment to improving the lives of children who have experienced care through action, empathy, and understanding. 

Deputy Head, Fiona Myles, shared her perspective: "Every day, we strive to embody the principles we've learned as Promise Keepers. No matter our job roles, we are all united in placing the children at the heart of our actions, ensuring they feel valued, respected, and heard.

"Small gestures, like a welcoming smile in the morning, building trust by listening to their worries and being mindful of our language are all incredibly powerful ways to take real action."

Early years graduate, June Alexander Graham said the training opened her eyes to how impactful she can be in her role supporting raising attainment in literacy, numeracy, and wellbeing:

"What surprised me was how childhood influences really stay with you right through to adulthood. Even small experiences can colour your view of the world and impact the decisions you make, especially as a young adult."

Who are Promise Keepers, and what do they do?

Promise Keepers embody our council's commitment to The Promise, a strategy backed by the Scottish government that seeks to improve society and the lives of those who are care experienced.

They're a growing network that comes together to learn about The Promise and the meaningful changes that will make Scotland a better place for children to grow up in. They share their knowledge and understanding with colleagues, family, and friends, acting as local champions helping to educate and improve services for care experienced people.

Fiona said the training gave her a new perspective on what it's like to be care experienced and the effect that living with uncertainty and feeling like you don't have a say in what happens to you can have. 

For her, being able to see things from a care experienced perspective is key. She said: "That's why we are always listening and encouraging open conversations. We're mindful of parents who may be care experienced, and we are building a supportive environment for them and the children that come here." 

You can #KeepThePromise

The team at Glenburn ELCC has woven The Promise's lessons into the fabric of their daily tasks and is proud of its nurturing environment, where everyone is welcomed and valued. 

They say, anyone can become a Promise Keeper because there are limitless possibilities and ways to make positive changes.  

Their message to colleagues is that The Promise is relevant to you, no matter your job role. They hope that by sharing their insights, more people will be inspired to discover how they can make a difference.

Become a Promise Keeper

This Care Experience History Month, April 2024, is the perfect time to take your first step towards becoming a Promise Keeper. 

Whether you are interested as an individual or want to take a whole team approach like Glenburn ELCC, you will gain new tools and incredible insights to deepen your understanding of how we are all part of building a fairer, more inclusive society.

Get in touch with promise ambassador, Sam Macrae at samantha.macrae@renfrewshire.gov.uk for information on how to get started.

Learn more about The Promise

Our e-learning course offers a valuable guide to The Promise and our Promise Keepers network at Renfrewshire Council. Log on to iLearn for full details.

For more background and information on The Promise strategy and frameworks, visit The Promise Scotland's website.

Published Thursday 18 April 2024