World Care Day 2025

World Care Day is the world’s biggest celebration of children who grow up in care.

Friday, 20th February 2026

Each year, CREATE celebrates World Care Day – the world’s biggest celebration of children and young people with a care experience. It’s a day to raise awareness, challenge stereotypes, and highlight the strengths and achievements of young people in care.

In 2026 World Care is being held on Feb 20th, our theme is Breaking Barriers.

Why “Breaking Barriers”?

Young people in care face unique challenges…from stigma and stereotypes, to real barriers in education, housing, health, and leaving care. But every day, they show resilience, creativity, and determination in overcoming these hurdles.

Breaking Barriers is about celebrating those achievements while calling on the community, services, carers, and government to play their part in removing the obstacles that stand in the way. Together, we can create a better future or all young people in care.

“We are just like you; except we just grew up differently.  Maybe we might feel more comfortable with what we went through, if people didn’t make judgments so quickly.” Young Person. 

How to get involved

For Young People

World Care Day is all about YOU. Your stories, your strengths, your future. Here’s how you can join in:

  • Share your story: Post a photo or short video about a barrier you’ve broken. Use the hashtags #BreakingBarriers and #SnapThatStigma.
  • Take part in the challenge: Join the Instagram “barrier smash” challenge! Write a stigma on a balloon or box, then smash through it!
  • Come to a CREATE event: Connection Events will be happening around the country! 
  • Get creative: Draw, write, or make something that shows what “Breaking Barriers” means to you, and share it with CREATE.

For Sector, Partners & Community

Help us show the world that together we can break barriers for kids in care:

  • Take the Pledge: Download our pledge template, write your commitment (“I’m breaking barriers by…”), and share a photo on social media with #BreakingBarriers #WorldCareDay #SnapThatStigma.
  • Join the conversation: Share CREATE’s posts, stats, and young people’s stories to help challenge stigma.
  • Celebrate with us: Attend or support a local World Care Day event in your state.
  • Champion change: Use your platform to highlight the achievements of young people in care and the barriers we still need to break.

History of World Care Day

Now in its’ ninth year, the Care Day initiative is underpinned by a collective of nine global voice of care organisations from across the world, including EPIC in Ireland, VOYPIC in Northern Ireland, Who Cares? Scotland, and Become in the UK, Voices from Care in Wales, Fepa in Spain, Fice in Croatia, Voyce in New Zealand and CREATE in Australia all working together to promote conversations about young people defying the odds and succeeding in their own right.