News
Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Gloucester Visits Credo Care Fostering During Foster Care Fortnight
22nd May 2026 – Lydd, Romney Marsh
Credo Care Fostering welcomed Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Gloucester this week, in a landmark visit during Foster Care Fortnight, shining a national spotlight on the urgent need for more foster carers, particularly for children with disabilities and complex needs.
The visit coincides with a major milestone for the organisation, which is celebrating 25 years of changing lives for disabled children and young people across England.
During the visit, The Duchess met foster families, support workers and staff, hearing first-hand about the realities of specialist fostering. Her Royal Highness received an overview from our Chairman and cofounder, The Right Revd Dr Damien Mead, who explained the founding vision and highlighted the vital work we do across England to find loving homes for children with additional needs, disabilities and complex medical conditions.
Taking place during Foster Care Fortnight, the visit also shone a spotlight on the urgent need to amplify the voice of disability fostering, an area where dedicated carers provide life-changing care and support to some of the most vulnerable young people in society.
Her Royal Highness spent time hearing real-life experiences from carers and staff, learning about the challenges and triumphs of providing specialist foster care, and recognising the profound difference these relationships make in creating safe, nurturing environments where young people can thrive.
It was also a moment of reflection and forward vision for Credo Care Fostering. In a speech marking the organisation’s 25-year journey, Chairman The Right Reverend Dr Damien Mead announced the establishment and formal inauguration of a new charity, The Credo Care Foundation (registered charity 1178132), saying:
“It is inevitable that as we draw our celebration of the past 25 years to a close, we look to the future. To the next 25 years – for time does seem to pass so very quickly. To safeguard the values, purpose, and legacy of Credo Care Fostering for the years ahead, Roy Hipkiss and I have established a new charity: The Credo Care Foundation, which we are also proud and pleased to inaugurate today. One of the aims of the Foundation will be to seek to protect and extend the spirit in which Credo Care was founded. It will help ensure that our legacy is not simply remembered, but actively carried forward — supporting those who care, strengthening opportunity, and keeping disabled children and young people at the centre of our mission.”
The visit concluded with The Duchess unveiling a commemorative plaque to honour Credo Care’s 25-year legacy. A speech was delivered by The Right Reverend Dr Damien Mead, Chairman of Credo Care Fostering, reflecting on the organisation’s journey and ongoing commitment to ensuring every child has the opportunity to feel valued, supported and at home.
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Boilerplate:
Founded in 2000, Credo Care Fostering is headquartered in Lydd on Romney Marsh and operates across the South, East and Midlands regions of the UK. The organisation continues to lead the way in specialist fostering, with a strong focus on inclusion, advocacy and providing exceptional care for children with additional and complex needs.
This royal visit not only celebrates Credo Care’s achievements to date but also reinforces the importance of raising awareness, inspiring new foster carers and championing disability fostering on a national stage.
As Foster Care Fortnight continues, this royal visit sends a clear message: disability fostering deserves greater visibility, greater recognition and more people willing to make a difference.