The amount of times the Scottish Government have committed to sort out the broken Social Care system, especially for young people, yet failed to deliver are too numerous to mention. It’s acknowledged that the system needs fixing, yet those with the power to do anything about it, seem to be oblivious to the stories of care experienced people. Nicola McCartney has worked with care experienced people over several years to create this piece that reflects their stories, acting as a facilitator to bring out the resonances of so many different accounts.
The National Theatre of Scotland’s One Hundred Voices is an instillation slap bang in the middle of our Parliament. An impressive construction impossible to ignore. And this is the point. Donning headphones and a bib with a name of a care experienced person, a voice of authority leads you through a series of spaces. The first being a cozy living room dotted with photographs and trinkets. Brian is a serious voice, telling us what to do, making pointed suggestions of how to view the lives of care experienced people. He is interrupted by Kayla, who has been through the care system. Her voice is sidelined by the authority figure, and it ends up being a battle to be heard. Each room is as meticulously designed as the audio. It’s a rich, heartfelt experience that confronts you with the reality of just how broken the care system is, but not as a statistic, not as another headline, but as real people, with ongoing lives. This is a work that actively asks something of its participants, to listen, truly listen to care experienced people’s stories!
You leave with a burning anger and sadness at an injustice that ripples through our society. I urge everyone who works in Parliament to see it. I hope John Swinney has his ticket, and the rest of the Cabinet Office too!
One Hundred Voices is on at Main Hall at The Scottish Parliament until August 28th
