Every so often, a speaker at our weekly lunch truly captures both the hearts and minds of our members—and this week was one of those moments.
We were delighted to welcome Rebekah Brown, Fostering Recruitment Officer at Hampshire County Council, who spoke passionately about fostering across the county. Rebekah shared her personal journey, recalling how, at just 12 years old, her family began fostering babies who later went on to be adopted. That early experience not only shaped her career but also led her to become a foster carer herself.
Today, there are more than 1,700 children in care in Hampshire, ranging from babies to teenagers. These include unaccompanied minors, sibling groups, and children with additional needs and disabilities. Rebekah highlighted the vital role foster carers play and the urgent national shortage of around 6,500 carers.
She also guided us through the different types of fostering, who can become a foster carer, and the journey involved. Most moving of all were the words of children who have experienced foster care:
“I feel safe and loved. I don’t see it as being in foster care—I see it as being with family.”
“Being in care has changed me in an amazing way, and there is no one to thank but my amazing carers.”
It was an inspiring and thought-provoking talk, and Rebekah received a well-deserved round of applause from everyone present.
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