Olympic medallist and lifelong advocate for children in care, Fatima Whitbread, delivered a moving keynote speech at Progress’ 25th anniversary celebration, sharing her own lived experience in the care system and calling for urgent reforms to improve the lives of vulnerable young people.
Addressing a packed room of Progress team members and guests that include policymakers, social workers, care leavers and campaigners, Whitbread offered a raw and deeply personal account of her early years. From enduring abandonment and abuse, to discovering healing and belonging through sport and mentorship, her story struck a powerful chord.
“I didn’t ask to be put in care. No child does,” she said. “But every child has the right to feel safe, loved and supported. That should never be up for debate.”
Recalling the traumatic moment she was taken from the only home she knew, she spoke of the emotional chaos and fear that defined much of her early life. But it was the arrival of a warm and spirited residential worker — “Auntie Ray” — that brought her the first taste of kindness and stability.
“She was my bright, shining star,” said Whitbread, referencing the title of her new illustrated children’s book, My Bright Shining Star, which she wrote to help schools and families better understand the experiences of children in care. “She taught me that by helping others, I could help myself.”
Whitbread spoke candidly about the systemic failures in the care system, from ineffective foster placements to a lack of continuity and emotional support. Yet her message was ultimately one of hope, rooted in her belief that with the right investment and understanding, children in care can thrive.
“Not all of the children I grew up with are still here,” she said. “Some took their own lives. Others repeated the same traumatic cycles. But I was one of the lucky ones. Sport saved me.”
She recounted the moment she saw Mary Peters win Olympic gold and decided that she too could dream big. From there, she began her journey in athletics, eventually earning an Olympic bronze and a World Championship title in javelin.
Whitbread also used her speech to promote Fatima’s UK Campaign, which is advocating for urgent care reform, including:
- A National Register for foster carers
- Early intervention and prevention programmes
- Extending care support to age 25
- Community-based youth leadership and mentoring schemes
“We need to give children in care what we’d want for our own children,” she urged. “That means strong role models, real opportunity, and long-term support.”
Her final call to action was a poignant reminder of what’s at stake: “You wouldn’t expect your own child to live independently at 18. Why should we expect it of the most vulnerable? These children are our future. Let’s invest in them properly.”
The audience responded with a standing ovation, affirming Whitbread’s enduring legacy not only as an athlete, but as one of the country’s most powerful voices for children’s welfare.
During her response to Whitbread’s speech, Bal Dhanoa MBE, Founder and CEO of Progress, reflected on the transformative strides made in the twenty-first century in the care sector. Stressing the power of collective effort, Bal noted, “It’s people like you who have changed the narrative.” She highlighted the role of collaboration in driving progress and fostering a more inclusive future.