Why I Chose to Take a Role as Non-Executive Director at Team Fostering

I was so excited to announce, in May, my new role as a non-executive director at Team Fostering, and it wasn’t without people questioning ‘Why fostering?’, which I responded ‘Why not fostering?’.

The decision stems from a deep-seated passion for shaping futures, influencing positive change, and leveraging my unique experiences to make a tangible difference. Ever since I retired from the world stage as a swimmer, I have been involved in many projects involving shaping young lives. From working in schools as a motivational speaker through to mentoring young athletes to be able to adapt to becoming world class in their field, I have loved serving others. As I step into this role, I am eager to bring my diverse background, honed both on the world stage of the Olympic Games and in various educational and organisational settings, to contribute to Team Fostering's mission.

My journey as a swimmer has equipped me with a unique perspective on strategy, discipline, and excellence. The rigor and dedication required to compete at such a level have taught me invaluable lessons about setting ambitious goals, maintaining focus, and being resilient. At Team Fostering, I see a tremendous opportunity to infuse these principles into our strategic planning and execution. By drawing parallels between elite sports and foster care, I aim to inspire and cultivate a culture of excellence within our organisation, ensuring that we provide the highest level of care and support to the children and young people we serve.

Shaping Mindsets Through Experience with Young People

Over the past 12 years, I have dedicated my career to working with young people in a variety of settings, including schools, children’s homes, pupil referral units, and community project schemes. This extensive experience has allowed me to understand the unique challenges and opportunities that young people face today. I have worked tirelessly to shape mindsets, inspire resilience and instil a sense of purpose in the next generation. At Team Fostering, I am excited to leverage this experience to help create an environment where young people can thrive, dream big, and achieve their full potential.

Enhancing Organisational Culture and Emotional Intelligence

In my current role, I focus on helping organisations develop their culture and bring awareness of emotional intelligence to leadership roles. Emotional intelligence is crucial for effective leadership, creating a supportive and empathetic environment where every team member feels valued, safe and understood. By coaching leaders to be the very best they can be for themselves, their teams, and the organisation, I have seen firsthand the transformative power of a positive organisational culture. In this new role at Team Fostering, I look forward to applying these insights.

I’ve learnt over the last 15 years that in order to thrive as a team there needs to be a coach approach to how the team interacts. This is instilling the philosophy of leading without the title. The best organisations I’ve worked with have created an environment where taking full ownership of your own journey becomes the norm. And with that people feel like they have a strong sense of belonging because they get to shape the organisation and put their stamp on it. I believe that strong, compassionate leadership is the cornerstone of any successful organisation. At Team Fostering, I am eager to influence our leadership teams to help develop their skills, enhance their emotional intelligence, and empower them to lead with confidence and empathy.

A Personal Commitment to Positive Change

Choosing to join Team Fostering as a non-executive director is not just a professional decision; it is a personal commitment to contributing to positive change. When I heard about Team Fostering’s mission I was immediately drawn to the values, and I am excited to share my skills and experiences to make a difference. This role as a non-executive director at Team Fostering represents a convergence of my passions, experiences, and aspirations. I am looking forward to what this journey has in-store, to collaborate with a dedicated team, and work towards a shared vision of excellence and positive impact. I am confident that we can achieve great things together at Team Fostering.