Fostering in the Southeast: Coffee Mornings with Compass

Recently, Compass Southeast hosted a special carers’ coffee morning in the heart of Whitstable, offering members of the public a chance to speak with real foster carers about their journey so far. The event featured carers Ted and Tanya, as well as Michelle, who kindly shared their lived experiences with attendees. Head of Fostering, Sarah Seikegba, also came along to show her support and meet with carers she works with closely.

Although it was a small turnout, the event was full of meaningful conversations and heartfelt insights, the kind of success that goes beyond numbers. As Operations Manager, Malcolm explained:

As Ted shared at the event, “Basically, we’re like a big family. Yes, we’re all professionals, and we help each other out when people have problems. It’s a friendly approach – a community.”

For carers like Tanya, the motivation to attend and speak at events like these is clear: “We understand there is a national shortage of foster carers. We want to support Compass because we think so highly of them. The support and guidance provided has been brilliant. It’s been a life-changing experience for us.”

Michelle, another attending carer, shared how positive her journey has been. “We’ve had a great boy from day one. No issues, no problems, and we’ve had a great social worker who has been there with us.”

Carers want prospective families to know they won’t be alone. Compass provides training, expert guidance, and a strong sense of community. “Senior social workers, senior management, the Head of Fostering – everyone can see potential in people and support them with training and development,” added Tanya.

Upcoming events

Compass Southeast will be hosting more local events in the coming months, providing further opportunities for people to ask questions, connect with real carers, and discover what fostering with Compass really means.

Our in-person events are free to attend! If you’d like to join us and see what fostering is all about, contact southeast.admin@compassfostering.com to register your interest.

These events are open to all, whether you’re just beginning to explore fostering or already seriously considering it. Head of Fostering Sarah Seikegba summed it up beautifully: “We want people to see that we’re unique in what we do. Our carers go above and beyond, and the outcomes for our young people are proof of that. It’s about creating an atmosphere where people can feel it for themselves.”