Category: Progress

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.

Progress is turning 25, and our young creators are telling the story their way—one masterpiece at a time.

As the seven-day countdown to our 25th anniversary begins, we are excited to share a glimpse of the amazing arts and crafts created by some of our wonderful children and young adults in honour of this special occasion.

From our adult services, we have a stunning submission and message from The Hub that beautifully reflects the creativity and spirit of our community. Over in Coventry at Henley Lodge, the children have crafted a vibrant and joyful piece that brings a smile to everyone’s face. We’ve also received a heartwarming entry from our Fostering Service, filled with colour, care, and celebration.

With these lovely contributions setting the tone, everything is shaping up perfectly for our 25th anniversary celebration next Friday. We can’t wait to mark this momentous occasion!

For many families, Progress has meant finally being able to breathe…

When Michelle first arrived at Wellcroft House with her daughter Jodie, she was carrying more than just bags. She carried years of worry, exhaustion, and the invisible weight that so many parents of children with special educational needs and disability (SEND) know too well, the weight of being everything, all at once, all the time.

That was seven years ago.

Now, as Progress marks its 25th anniversary, Michelle looks back on that moment as the beginning of something she didn’t know how much she needed: relief, partnership, and a new version of normal.

“My daughter Jodie has been at Wellcroft House for about seven years,” Michelle says, her voice steady with the kind of calm only trust can bring. “She was 18 when she moved in. She has been supported to have more independent skills. She goes to the gym, she has made friends, even gone to work.”

These aren’t just activities. They’re markers of a life expanded, a childhood carefully nurtured into young adulthood, with all the dignity and individuality that should accompany it.

“They dress her like an adult, not a child,” Michelle says. “She’s very particular about what she likes to wear. And they work around that, making sure she’s dressed appropriately for the weather but also for who she is.”

There’s a quiet pride in Michelle’s voice. It’s not boastful. It’s relieved.

“I have no worries when I leave her there. I know she’s being looked after. The communication is excellent. I couldn’t ask for a better place for my daughter to be.”

A Place to Breathe

Progress has never been just about the young people. It has also been about the families behind them — the parents, grandparents, and siblings who live in the delicate balance between love and burnout. For Ellie’s parents, the journey was a balancing act that never quite balanced until it did.

“As Ellie is our eldest and we have two younger children, family life was not easy,” they said. “It was often very challenging to get the balance right.”

That changed when Ellie moved into Wellcroft House.

“Ellie living at Wellcroft House has allowed us to support and nurture our other two children without restrictions while knowing that Ellie is well cared for.”

That peace of mind is priceless. But it’s more than just the basics of care. It’s the joy of seeing their daughter fully embraced by a community.

“We know she’s happy and settled because we see it in her face when she returns there. The team is committed to all of the residents. They’re caring, supportive, and always have Ellie’s best interests at heart. For that, we will always be grateful.”

There are moments that still surprise them. The cultural celebrations. The little trips. The parties. The photos.

“We love the way the team embrace and celebrate all cultural festivities during the year and take Ellie to different places. She’s exposed to so many different experiences. We particularly enjoy the parties we’re invited to.”

Then they pause, and say something that echoes what so many families feel but rarely say aloud: “You should all be very proud of how your work makes such a difference to the lives of the residents and their families, too.”

A Room, a Routine, a Life of His Own

At Stourbridge House, it is the small details that stay with Matthew’s mum. The laughter. The routine. The stillness in her own home when he’s away, a silence that, for once, is not heavy with guilt.

“Matthew loves coming to Progress,” she says. “He just enjoys it so much. And for me, it allows me to have a bit of a normal life. To just relax. To see friends. To do normal things that I just don’t get to do as a full-time carer.”

Her gratitude is clear, but it runs deeper than convenience. It’s existential. It’s survival. “Progress is an absolute lifesaver,” she says. “They’ve become like family to me and to Matthew.”

Some families speak briefly, but even their few words carry enormous weight.

“We’d like to thank all the staff for looking after Louise for many years,” says one parent. “And for the support in ill health. Thank you to everybody there. Congratulations on your 25th anniversary.”

And from another set of parents:

“Junu’s stays at Stourbridge House (Adults) make a big difference to him, and to us. Keep up the great work.”

These aren’t grand declarations. They’re testimonies to a kind of everyday heroism. The quiet, committed work of carers, support staff, team leaders, and managers who ensure that every young person at Progress is treated with dignity, encouraged to grow, and given a life that reflects their potential, not just their diagnosis.

A Legacy Etched in Everyday Lives

As Progress marks 25 years of service, it does so not with fanfare but with stories like these. Stories of mornings made easier, families made whole, children who feel seen, and parents who finally, finally, can exhale.

Progress Founder and CEO, Bal Dhanoa MBE, and other leaders of Progress have spoken proudly of the systems, the models, and the structures built. But what the families remember are the birthday parties, the culturally sensitive clothing choices, the late-night reassurance calls, and the moments when someone, anyone, simply said, “It’s okay, we’ve got this.”

That’s what 25 years of Progress looks like. Not a headline. Not a statistic. A human story, multiplied across hundreds of families, year after year. And that’s what makes it extraordinary.

It is so heart warming to hear these beautiful messages from families. To all our teams I say thank you for the care and compassion you all share, to make our young peoples’ lives so special. I am so proud of each and every one of you. And I look forward to our forthcoming celebrations evening — Bal Dhanoa MBE (Founder/CEO, Progress).