Episode 12: Fatima Whitbread - My Life And The Care System

In this episode of The Silent Epidemic, host Hatice Mehmet-Quirk sits down with the inspiring Fatima Whitbread, Olympic legend and fierce advocate for young people in the UK’s care system. Fatima’s extraordinary journey—from a childhood marked by trauma and abandonment to becoming a world record-breaking javelin thrower—shines a light on the urgent need for systemic reform and better mental health support for children in care.Together, they delve into Fatima’s personal experiences in children's homes and the immense emotional toll faced by youth in the care system. Fatima shares how her campaign, Fatima’s UK, aims to harness collaboration across the four nations to break the cycle of trauma and create a supportive, sustainable framework for vulnerable children. They discuss the critical importance of early intervention, continuity in care, and how providing aspirational life skills through programs in sports, arts, and technology can transform young lives.Listeners will hear about Fatima’s advocacy for policy changes that ensure care leavers are not abandoned at 18 and her vision for a national summit to unify efforts to support these young individuals. Tune in to discover how Fatima’s resilience fuels her mission to reform the care system and give every child the hope and opportunity they deserve.