When Hull Fostering Team Manager Sarah received an invitation to attend a Foster Care Fortnight event at the House of Lords, she knew it would be an opportunity to celebrate fostering!
What she probably didn't expect was that some of the most memorable moments of the day would happen on the journey there and back.
The day started before sunrise, with Sarah heading to the train station ready for a long day in London. But as anyone who knows Sarah will tell you, she never misses an opportunity to talk about fostering.
The first conversation happened with Bob, a Hull taxi driver who regularly transports some of our city's foster children to school.
As they chatted, Bob spoke about the children he meets and the stories that stay with him. He talked about hearing young people speak about brothers and sisters they miss and the challenges some children face before finding safety and stability.
It was a reminder that supporting children in care is not just something foster carers and social workers do. Across Hull there are teachers, neighbours, health professionals, taxi drivers and countless others who play a small but important part in a child's journey.
When Sarah explained Hull Fostering's Tell One Person campaign, Bob was more than happy to support it.
After all, sometimes one conversation really can make a difference.
The conversations continued on the train, where Sarah met Beth, whose family has their own connection to fostering.
Beth grew up in a fostering household and spoke passionately about the impact fostering had on her life. What started as her parents opening their home to children, gave Beth siblings, nieces, nephews and experiences that shaped the person she has become today.
Now working with children with additional needs, Beth says the understanding she gained from growing up around fostering continues to influence her work every day.
Her story was a powerful reminder that fostering doesn't only affect the child being cared for. It can shape entire families and leave a positive impact that lasts for generations.
Arriving in London, Sarah joined foster carers, fostering professionals and organisations from across the country to celebrate Foster Care Fortnight and reflect on the incredible difference foster carers make to children's lives every single day.
The event provided an opportunity to share ideas, celebrate successes and highlight the ongoing need for more foster carers across the UK.
Among the people Sarah met was Judy, known to many from the Traitors television show, who was keen to talk about fostering, relationships and the importance of strong support networks for children and families.
And because no trip from Hull would be complete without it, Sarah had packed a supply of Hull chip spice.
By complete chance, mini fish and chips were served during the event and before long chip spice had become one of the day's biggest talking points.
By the time Sarah headed home, there wasn't a single pot left.
It might seem like a small thing, but it perfectly summed up the day. A simple conversation starter opened the door to discussions about fostering, community and the difference ordinary people can make when they choose to care.
From a taxi driver in Hull, to a former foster family's daughter on a train, to conversations in the House of Lords, the message remained the same throughout the day.
Fostering changes lives.
And sometimes all it takes is one conversation to help someone realise they could be part of that change.
We captured highlights from Sarah's day in a short video, showing the journey, the people she met and the conversations that took place along the way. We hope it gives a glimpse into just how many people are touched by fostering, often in ways they never expected.
Because wherever you go, fostering is never just about one person.
It's about communities coming together to help children feel safe, supported and loved.
And that's a message worth sharing #TellOnePerson