NAFP Parliamentary celebration and report launch

‘This is a celebration of you folks in the room! ‘ Harvey Gallagher, Chief Executive of National (NAFP) proudly stated with a huge smile as the warm sunshine spilled into the most majestic of indoor/outdoor spaces as the pavilion is.

I have had the pleasure of knowing Harvey since 2008 when I started my own adoption advocacy journey and his wisdom, passion and kindness has never wavered. Harvey shared how his own father was in care so he had first hand experience of the effect it can have on a person's life good and bad. It is this personal story that focused Harvey into doing the work he does and championing children and families in the UK.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/286c81_69fd4b61f7924d2dbb8725bb70d5d08d/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

Josh MacAlister MP speech

Rightly, on this most delicious of Spring afternoons in the stunning Pavillion Terrace in the great House of Parliament, change was here and the new minister Josh MacAlister OBE MP, Minister for Children and Families stood up with great fervour, energy and kindness as he spelt out this governments dedication to help this sector awash with issues, problems, reform and much needed attention.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ex59CdrTn8I

Harvey Gallagher address the room

I was honoured to meet Jess Asato MP who also dedicated her attention and time to reform and create from her time working in the domestic abuse sector and women’s rights and working in the children’s sector working for Barnados. It was lovely to hear Jess speak of her first hand experience working in the children’s sector and understanding the issues and complexities facing foster families and young people. 

Celebration is the fuel of change and Harvey promised throughout the speeches to hold this government to account, to question, encourage and to keep the focus on children that desperately need love and a real start in life through the government systems. 

I had brilliant conversations with Lord Young when he shared how his family did short term fostering and the incredible difference he saw in a young child’s life. It was such a pleasure to meet Debbie Tomlinson from Capstone Foster Care who shared her love and great experience of both adoption and fostering to me, Mike McKenzie - always a pleasure and Steven Russel with his great lived experience and passion for reform. 

Children’s Social Care is a conversation that everyone needs to have in their hearts and minds to bring about better outcomes for children.  The Government promised a Nationwide Fostering Campaign to help find 10,000 homes, more reform and dedication to work alongside organisations. If you are interested in finding out more about the challenges facing the independent foster care sector then please do contact the Foster Care Forum.

I was deeply moved with a quiet hope that things will change for the better, I was able to engage with many organisations I have seen before, some I have worked with in the past and some I am excited to work with through ‘JOYtalk’ my stand up show and talk on wellbeing and mental health through humour.  

As the sun shone and the sound of discussions, communications with like minded organisations wafted through the blissful riverbank I know that the hearts of children were there as we work together in mind, spirit and heart.