Inspiring Mayo photo exhibition by children and young people with care experience
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Fiona Neary, director, Linenhall Arts Centre (on right), and Olivia Varley, social care leader, Tusla.Image 2 of 5
From left: Roger Clarke, business support manager, Tusla, Breda Quinn, principal social worker, Tusla, Stephen Bourke, senior youth officer, Foróige, and Michelle Reynolds, area manager, Foróige.Image 3 of 5
Teresa Fahy, lecturer in social care, ATU, Brenda Kneafsey, EPIC, and Rebecca Shannon, social care student, ATU.Image 4 of 5
Yvonne McCaffrey, senior counselling psychologist, Tusla, and Bryan Gerard Duffy, artist and board member, Linenhall Arts Centre.Image 5 of 5
Deirdre Melvin, access officer, Linenhall Arts Centre (left), and Yvonne McCaffrey, senior counselling psychologist, Tusla.IN celebration of Care Day 2025, Tusla - Child and Family Agency, EPIC (Empowering People in Care) and Foróige Connect, in conjunction with the Linenhall Arts Centre, has launched an inspiring photography exhibition ‘Voices from Care, Ripples of Change’.
The exhibition is on display in the Linenhall Arts Centre foyer, Castlebar, is free to view and runs until the end of March.
At the end of December 2024 there were 146 children and young people in care in Mayo. Care Day is a celebration of all children and young people with care experience, which includes children and young people who are or were cared for by family members, in foster care, children’s residential care or aftercare.
This year’s theme ‘Voices from Care, Ripples of Change’ celebrates the transformative power of hearing directly from these young people about their lived experiences. Each voice from care carries a unique perspective, shedding light on both challenges and triumphs.
Care Day is a call to listen, learn, and amplify their voices, as every story has the potential to create ripples of change.
The exhibition features contributions from care-experienced children and young people from Mayo ranging in age from 8 to 21 years of age.
It is the result of the collaboration of young people with care experience working with Tusla, EPIC advocacy service and Foróige Connect to develop artworks and share their narratives.
Their newly created photography will be displayed alongside EPIC’s Care Day ‘Embrace Your Stories’ exhibition.
This year’s theme is a powerful reminder that every story matters and that change begins when we truly listen.
Commenting on the exhibition, Heather Wilson, Mayo area manager, Tusla, said: “Children and young people from Tusla's foster care, residential care and aftercare services across Ireland took part in this exhibition and we are delighted to be able to share and celebrate their stories. Children and young people with care experience use their talents and their voices to help inform all of us about their personal experiences.
“Care Day is a great opportunity to celebrate and recognise their achievements and support young people to reach their full potential.
“This exhibition is all about sharing the voice of all of those who have experiences of being in care in this county. I encourage everyone to drop by the exhibition and be part of the ripples of change.”