We’re delighted to announce the appointment of professional chef and restaurateur Michael Carr as our new Patron.
For Michael, the role is deeply personal.
Having grown up in care, he knows first-hand how important it is for children to feel safe, supported and heard. He also knows the life-changing difference that foster carers can make.
Growing up in care inspired Michael’s commitment to helping others🌟
Today, Michael runs a successful bistro with his partner. But he credits much of his journey to the foster carers who gave him the stability, support and sense of belonging he needed as a child.
His foster mum, who was a chef, played a particularly important role in shaping his future. She introduced him to the joy of cooking, real food and life in the kitchen, sparking a passion that would eventually become his career.
Now he wants to help create those same opportunities for others.
As Patron, Michael will work alongside The Foster Care Charity to raise awareness of fostering, support fundraising and events, and champion children, young people and foster families.
The appointment reflects a shared belief that every child deserves the chance to thrive, reach their full potential and build a positive future.
Michael said:
“Becoming Patron of The Foster Care Charity means a huge amount to me because I’ve lived through the care system myself.
I know what it’s like to grow up without stability. I also know what happens when the right people come into your life and give you the support you need. My foster carers changed everything for me. They gave me structure, guidance and a sense of belonging.
“My foster mum was a chef and she introduced me to cooking. She showed me the joy of food, being creative and working in a kitchen. That’s where my passion started. What began around the family table eventually became my career.
Looking back, it’s another example of how foster carers can have such a lasting impact on a child’s life. They don’t just help you through the day-to-day. They can help shape your future.
I’ve always felt that if I ever had the chance to give something back, I would. This role gives me the opportunity to do that.”
💛 Supporting children to thrive
“I want children and young people to know that where they start in life doesn’t have to decide where they finish. With the right support around them, they can achieve incredible things.
I also want more people to understand fostering. There are amazing foster carers out there changing lives every day. Their stories deserve to be heard.
If my story can help even one child feel heard, supported or hopeful about their future, then it’s all been worth it.”
Children are at the heart of everything The Foster Care Charity does. The charity supports foster carers and families to provide safe, loving and stable homes where children can feel valued, develop a sense of belonging and look forward to brighter futures.
Barbara Allies, Deputy CEO of The Foster Care Charity, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Michael as our new Patron.
Michael brings something incredibly special to this role. He understands, from personal experience, the challenges children in care can face. More importantly, he understands the life-changing impact that care, stability and belonging can have.
At The Foster Care Charity, children come first in everything we do. We are ambitious for every child and young person we support. We want them to feel safe, valued and able to achieve their full potential. Michael’s own journey reflects exactly why that matters.
Michael’s story perfectly demonstrates the lasting impact foster carers can have on a child’s life.”
Barbara continues, “the support and encouragement he received helped him develop the confidence and stability he needed to thrive. Even more remarkably, it was his foster mum who first introduced him to cooking and inspired the passion that led him to become the successful chef and business owner he is today.
That is the power of fostering. It can help a child discover their talents, build their confidence and create opportunities that can shape the rest of their lives.
What really shines through is Michael’s desire to help others. He wants to use his voice and experience to make a difference. We know he will be a powerful advocate for children, young people, foster carers and the wider fostering community.”
Michael is particularly passionate about challenging misconceptions around fostering and helping more people understand the difference foster carers make.
💛 Raising awareness of fostering
“I think one of the biggest misconceptions is that people only hear the difficult stories,” he said.
“The reality is there are so many positive stories too. Foster carers do incredible things. They provide patience, understanding, care and stability when children need it most.
“Children don’t need to be seen as statistics. They need to be listened to. They need opportunities. They need people who believe in them.
Every child deserves happiness. When a child feels happy, supported and safe, they can grow, develop and become the best version of themselves.”
For The Foster Care Charity and Michael, the goal is simple: to help more children experience the safety, support and sense of belonging that allows them to build brighter futures.
Want to help a child through fostering? Hear what our carers have to say💛
We believe the best people to tell you about fostering are our carers. Find out what they have to say via the links below or check out the video stories on our YouTube channel.
🌐Check out our foster carer stories
🌐Find out more about fostering on our fostering with us pages and our FAQs page
Can You Foster?
So, if you’ve been thinking about fostering we’d love to talk through your options to help you explore whether this could work for you and your family.
📞 Call us today to learn more – UK FreePhone 0800 0856 538
📍 Book an appointment with our team via our at Contact Us page
Could you open your home and heart to help local children? Let us help you today to find out if you can be a foster parent. ❤️
