Meet Michael Our Patron
We are proud to introduce Michael Carr as a Patron of The Foster Care Charity.
Michael’s journey is powerful, honest, and inspiring. He brings not only professional success, but lived experience of growing up in foster care. That makes his voice truly important to the work we do.
Today, Michael is a professional chef and business owner. But his story began in a very different place.
Growing up in care
Michael spent much of his childhood in and out of care. Life was not always stable. There were times when things were difficult and uncertain.
“I didn’t really have structure growing up. Sometimes life was just about getting through the day.”
Everything changed when he found a home with his foster carers.
“They became like my mum and dad. They gave me support, structure, and somewhere that felt like home.”
That stability made a lasting difference.
Finding belonging in food
His foster mum was a chef. And for the first time, Michael experienced family life through cooking and shared meals.
“Before I went there, I didn’t really understand food or meals. I got fed, but I didn’t sit down and eat with people or cook.”
“Suddenly I was part of a family. We cooked together, we ate together… and I fell in love with it.”
Those moments gave him more than a passion for food—they gave him a sense of belonging.
“It wasn’t just the cooking. It was feeling like I was part of something.”
From Fostered Child
to Pro Chef
“As soon as I started, I just wanted to work and become a chef.”
From care to career
Michael discovered his passion for cooking at a young age. At 16, he started working in kitchens and began building his career from the ground up.
Through hard work, dedication, and determination, he worked his way up to become a head chef experienced in a range of professional kitchens.
Today, Michael runs his own bistro with his partner—something he is incredibly proud of.
“Kitchens are like a family as well. You work together, you support each other, and you feel like you belong.”
What Michael stands for
Michael is passionate about:
- Helping children feel heard
- Supporting foster carers and families
- Sharing more positive stories about fostering
- Challenging misconceptions
- Encouraging others to get involved
“Children just want to be heard,” Michael says.
“And there are so many good stories that people don’t see.”
Why Michael became our Patron
For Michael, becoming Patron is deeply personal.
“It means a lot to me. I’ve been through the care system, and now I want to give something back.”
He understands the challenges children in care can face. He also knows the difference that the right support can make.
“If what I’ve been through can help someone else, that’s what matters to me.”
As our Patron, Michael is committed to making a difference.
He is already supporting awareness, sharing his story, and helping people better understand fostering. He also hopes to bring his professional world into his work with our charity—through events, community engagement, and fundraising.
“I’m going to work really hard to help as many people as I can.”
A message from Michael
“Every child deserves happiness. When a child feels supported and part of something, they can become the best version of themselves.”
Here are some of the most common questions about Michael Carr and foster care, answered in his own words.
Who is Michael Carr?
I am a professional chef, business owner, and now proud to be a Patron of The Foster Care Charity. I grew up in care and I want to use my own experiences to raise awareness and help support children and foster families across the UK.
What is Michael's connection to foster care?
I grew up in and out of care as a child. In my teens I was lucky to get a stable home with foster carers who gave me structure, support, and a real sense of belonging. These experiences are what shaped my life and inspired me to take up this work with The Foster Care Charity.
How did foster care influence Michael's career?
My foster mum was a chef, and that’s where my passion for cooking really started. Through shared family meals and time in the kitchen, I discovered what food was all about and how it could change things. I was encouraged to go on to build my career as a professional chef and I now run my own bistro in Holt, Norfolk.
Why did Michael become a Patron?
I became a Patron to give something back and help spread the word about foster care. It’s a way to use my own lived experience to help children in care feel heard, support foster families, and challenge people’s misconceptions about fostering.
What does Michael say about foster carers?
I know first hand that foster carers can play a vital role in children’s lives. Foster carers help by providing daily structure, care, and stability—all things that can, and do, completely change a child’s future.
Why Michael thinks family routines are important for children in care?
The simple things like sharing a meal, having a regular routine, and feeling part of a family can have a long-lasting impact. I know from my childhood just how these everyday moments can help children feel safe, valued, and supported to be who they really are.
What message does Michael want to share about children in care?
I believe every child deserves to be heard, supported, and given the chance to thrive. When a child feels happy and safe, they can become the best version of themselves. People can help these children by learning more about fostering, supporting other foster carers, donating or becoming a foster carer themselves.
Our Latest News & Stories
Kerry Katona Partners with The Foster Care Charity to Support Children in Foster Care
Finding the Right Foster Family
Search “How to Foster”
Thousands of Children Need a Foster Home
Take on a Challenge – Marathons, Mudders and More
Social Workers – at the Heartbeat of Foster Care
Vacancy Foster Carer
