Welcome to our Framing and Language Guide! This guide is all about helping you use positive, empowering language when you talk about yourself and your experiences. It’s not about telling you what you should or shouldn’t say – it’s about encouraging you to find words that lift you up, show your strength, and reflect your expertise.
You deserve to speak about yourself in a way that celebrates who you are, not just what you’ve been through. Let’s dive into how to do that.
Being care experienced is part of your story, but it’s not the whole story. It doesn’t define everything about you. When you talk about yourself, think about how you want to be seen. You are:
When framing your language, try to move away from just the label and talk about all the other amazing things you bring to the table.
It’s easy for care experienced people to be seen through a lens of hardship, but your story is full of resilience, problem-solving, and growth. Here’s how to shift the focus:
People might try to put words in your mouth or define your experience for you. But you’re in charge of how your story is told. When you frame your language, focus on what you want people to know:
Remember: you’re not a victim of your past. You’re a leader in your future.
Let’s focus on using words that make you feel powerful, capable, and proud. Here’s how you can do that:
Deficit language makes it seem like you’re missing something or lacking. But that’s not who you are. You’re whole, and you’re capable.
Words have power, and the way you describe yourself shapes how others see you – and how you see yourself.
Use words that reflect your skills, solutions, and growth rather than focusing only on the struggles you’ve faced.
As a care experienced person, your knowledge is valuable. It’s time to frame your story as a source of expertise, not just personal experience:
When talking about yourself, frame your experiences as contributions to the world around you. You’re not just a person who has lived through something – you’re someone who has learned, grown, and thrived despite it.
You’ve already achieved so much, and there’s so much more to come. When talking about yourself, focus on the future and the impact you want to make.
You have the right to tell your story the way you want. You have the right to reject language that diminishes your experience and to embrace words that lift you up. The world often defines care experienced people through stereotypes, but it’s up to you to change that narrative.
You’re strong.
You’re capable.
You’re a leader.
You’re an expert.
As you move forward, keep in mind that the way you frame your story and your experiences matters. Your words are powerful tools to shape how you’re seen and how you see yourself. Use them wisely, and always remember that you are more than your past – you’re shaping the future.
Speak positively. Frame yourself as the expert. Your story is yours to tell, and the world needs to hear it.