Surrey County Council is proud to announce the appointment of seven new foster carer ambassadors who will help shape and strengthen fostering across the county.
These ambassadors will support the Council’s ambition to increase participation, representation, and meaningful feedback from foster carers and kinship carers. They will champion key areas such as recruitment, retention, health, education, kinship care and corporate parenting – ensuring foster carers have a strong voice in how services develop.
Working closely with Surrey County Council teams, foster carers, partner organisations and communities, the ambassadors will help ensure every child grows up feeling supported, understood and able to thrive. Each ambassador will play a vital role in representing carers’ views, sharing lived insight, and helping to shape the support provided to Surrey’s children, young people and fostering families.
Reflecting on the appointments, Helyn Clack, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Lifelong Learning, said: “We are thrilled to welcome these new ambassadors, whose roles reflect our commitment to placing lived experience at the heart of decision making. Their input will ensure carers’ voices are heard and that children’s needs remain front and centre in everything we do. I look forward to their insightful and vital contributions, and to them shaping the future of fostering in Surrey on behalf of the whole fostering community.”
Talking about her role as the new Retention Ambassador, Cindy Morris said; “I hope to be someone carers feel comfortable talking to – someone who listens without judgement.”
Lesley Coyle, Kinship Ambassador, reflects that; “There are so many remarkable kinship families across Surrey, and I feel privileged to have the opportunity to be a voice for them.”
Ambassadors will:
- Attend relevant governance groups, including the Corporate Parenting Board, Corporate Parenting Operational Group, and the Fostering Recruitment and Retention Board.
- Provide feedback regarding operational activity and barriers affecting carers.
- Support engagement with foster carers through defined communication channels.
- Promote service priorities relating to health, education, recruitment, retention, and kinship care.
Appointed ambassadors and their areas of responsibility:
- Recruitment Ambassador: Ben Boyd
- Retention Ambassador: Cindy Morris
- Kinship Ambassador: Lesley Coyle
- Health Ambassador: Cheryl Kimber
- Corporate Parenting Ambassador: Mark Todd
- Training & Provisions Ambassador (Education): Tim Jardine
- SEND & Wellbeing Ambassador (Education): Susan Richardson
Fostering is a community-wide effort: individuals can find out how they too can support children in care and the foster families who look after them by visiting Fostering – Surrey County Council and Helping Hands – Surrey County Council.
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Notes to editors
- Further information about the Surrey Fostering Service, Foster Carers’ Charter and for those wishing to become foster carers in Surrey can be found at:
- Ambassadors were selected following expressions of interest, panel considerations, and review against eligibility criteria. Each ambassador has experience in a range of fostering arrangements and will contribute to service improvement through structured engagement and feedback mechanisms.
Meet Our New Ambassadors
Ben Boyd – Recruitment Ambassador
Ben became a foster carer in 2020 and joined Surrey in 2022 before transferring fully in 2023. What began as respite work grew into a four year and counting “short term” placement.
Ben was driven by a desire to do something meaningful during the pandemic and now brings honest insight into what fostering really involves.
“Learning about the realities of fostering is such a useful part of making an informed choice. For me, the biggest question is both personal and internal.”
Cindy Morris – Retention Ambassador
Cindy—both foster carer and care-experienced—has been fostering with Surrey since 2013. She has cared for children across long term, short term, respite, Emergency Duty Team and complex placements.
“I hope to be someone carers feel comfortable talking to – someone who listens without judgement.”
Lesley Coyle – Kinship Ambassador
Kinship carer to her niece since 2020, Lesley brings warmth, resilience and a passion for representing kinship families.
“There are so many remarkable kinship families across Surrey, and I feel privileged to have the opportunity to be a voice for them.”
Cheryl Kimber – Health Ambassador
Cheryl has fostered for 16 years across Short Term, Staying Put, Respite, Short Breaks and EDT.
“Seeing first-hand the difference that fostering can make gave us the confidence to become a fostering family.”
Mark Todd – Corporate Parenting Ambassador
Mark and his partner have cared for their foster child H since they were three months old. H has a rare brain condition and requires 24/7 care.
“Every child, regardless of age, background or otherwise, deserves a chance to be the best version of themselves.”
Tim Jardine – Training & Provisions Ambassador (Education)
Tim has fostered for 14 years and previously ran a Football Academy supporting young children’s development.
“Education is the cornerstone of this journey. I want to ensure every child’s learning is tailored to their unique circumstances.”
Susan Richardson – SEND & Wellbeing Ambassador (Education)
Susan has six and a half years of supported lodgings experience and specialises in somatic, trauma informed, and wellbeing-based practice.
“I wanted to offer a safe, nurturing home where a child feels valued, supported, and able to develop at their own pace.”
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