About Us

The Brighton & Hove Foster Carer Association (BHFCA) is an independent charity run by foster carers, for foster carers. We are committed to supporting fostering families across Brighton & Hove by providing advocacy, peer support, social opportunities, and a collective voice for foster carers.

Working alongside Brighton & Hove City Council and other partner organisations, we aim to ensure that foster carers and the children they care for are represented, valued, and supported.

Our Aims

The Association works to:

• Support and represent foster carers and their families.
• Promote the wellbeing of children and young people in foster care.
• Encourage learning, development, and sharing of good practice amongst foster carers.
• Build positive partnerships between foster carers, Children's Services, and other agencies.
• Reduce isolation by creating opportunities for connection, friendship, and mutual support.
• Raise awareness and understanding of fostering within the wider community.

What We Do

Community and Connection

We organise social events, fund raisers, meals, coffee mornings, family activities, and networking opportunities that help foster carers build relationships and support one another.

Consultation and Representation

BHFCA works constructively with Brighton & Hove Children's Services to represent foster carers' views and contribute to service development, policy discussions, and consultation processes.

Information and Communication

We share news, updates, training opportunities, and information relevant to fostering families through communications and member engagement.

Contact Details

bandhfca@gmail.com

Our Trustees

Mia Callow – Trustee Secretary

Mia has been a foster carer for 18 years and, alongside her husband, provides a long-term home for three children. She is passionate about advocating for children and foster carers, drawing on her extensive lived experience to support others within the fostering community. Mia actively participates in support groups and values the opportunity to learn from and encourage fellow carers. As a trustee, she is committed to helping create a supportive, inclusive, and socially connected fostering community where carers feel valued and supported.

Rachel Dyer – Trustee Treasurer

Rachel has been a foster carer for over 17 years and is a strong advocate for peer support and collaboration amongst foster carers. She brings valuable financial expertise to the Association through her professional experience and accounting qualifications, helping to ensure robust financial management and governance. Rachel is passionate about creating opportunities for carers to connect, share experiences, and feel supported throughout their fostering journey.

Allison Fackrell – Trustee

Allison has over 16 years of fostering experience and has cared for children of all ages, including babies, teenagers, parent-and-child placements, respite care, and bridging placements. She also has experience as an adoptive parent. Allison is a passionate advocate for children and young people and brings extensive experience in supporting families through both her fostering and professional roles. As a trustee, she is committed to promoting the voice of foster carers while helping to strengthen support networks and opportunities for fostering families.

Michelle Holgate – Trustee

Michelle has been a foster carer for more than 15 years and has dedicated much of her life to supporting children, young people, and families. Alongside fostering, she runs a community parent and toddler group and has a background in youth work. As a parent of four children, Michelle understands the importance of strong support networks and positive relationships. She is passionate about building a welcoming fostering community and ensuring foster carers have access to the support, resources, and connections they need to thrive.

Melisa Johnson – Trustee

Melisa brings a wealth of voluntary sector and committee experience to BHFCA, having previously served on a variety of community, school, and youth organisation committees. She has been actively involved with the Foster Carer Association in the past and is passionate about helping to reinvigorate the organisation through social events, fundraising initiatives, and opportunities for carers to come together. Melisa believes that a strong and active association plays a vital role in supporting foster carers and strengthening the wider fostering community.

Lydia Majic – Chair

Lydia has been fostering alongside her husband since 2016 and has cared for children and young people of all ages. She is passionate about ensuring foster carers have a strong, independent voice and believes that fostering families deserve access to meaningful support, advocacy, and opportunities to connect with one another. Lydia brings significant governance and leadership experience through her roles within education and community organisations, alongside her professional expertise as a qualified solicitor acting as Legal Adviser, in the Adult Criminal Courts. As Chair, she is committed to leading BHFCA in a transparent, inclusive, and forward-thinking way that reflects the needs and aspirations of its members.

Zena Moore – Trustee

Zena has been a foster carer since 2012 and has cared for a wide range of children and young people, including long-term placements, sibling groups, respite placements, and unaccompanied asylum-seeking children. She is passionate about building connections between foster carers and helping to create a supportive and engaged fostering community. As a trustee, Zena hopes to contribute to the continued development of BHFCA, ensuring carers feel connected, supported, and represented.

Kelly Stuckey – Trustee

Kelly has been fostering for around eight years and has experience caring for children of all ages, including babies, teenagers, parent-and-child placements, and long-term placements. Prior to fostering, she worked within a primary school special educational needs department, developing a strong commitment to inclusion and ensuring children receive the support they need to flourish. Kelly is passionate about creating opportunities for foster carers to connect, support one another, and enjoy shared experiences through community events and activities. She is dedicated to helping make BHFCA a welcoming and supportive organisation for all fostering families.

Read the BHFCA Constitution (PDF)