We believe every child deserves not just a safe home — but a strong sense of who they are.
Roots Café was created to inspire and connect the next generation of foster carers, with a special focus on African and Caribbean heritage children and positive identity parenting.
Our Story
We’re Mike and Trish, co-founders of Roots Café and Wholistic Fostering.
I’m Mike — a former child in care who knows first-hand how powerful it is to have carers who believe in you.
Trish is a registered manager, supervising social worker, and together we’re parents to two high-achieving teenagers.
Our journey has shown us both sides of the fostering story — the challenges and the incredible rewards.
We created Roots Café because we believe fostering recruitment can be more than a leaflet and a phone number. It can be a conversation that changes lives.
We created Roots Café because we believe fostering recruitment can be more than a leaflet and a phone number. It can be a conversation that changes lives.
Our Mission
To inspire, recruit, and support carers who can help children build strong, positive identities — especially those of African and Caribbean heritage — so they can thrive in every part of life.
We do this by:
- Hosting discussion-led events that are warm, welcoming, and thought-provoking.
- Providing clear, honest information about fostering — no jargon, no pressure.
- Connecting people with the right agency, even if it’s not ours.
- Encouraging referrals by rewarding those who connect us with future carers.
Why Roots Café is Different
Most agencies hold “coffee mornings.” We do more.
Roots Café is built on:
- Lived experience — Mike’s care journey.
- Professional expertise — Trish’s social work leadership.
- Parenting success — raising two high achievers.
- Cultural awareness — our focus on identity-positive fostering for African and Caribbean children, while welcoming carers from all backgrounds.
Our Impact
Since launching, Roots Café has:
- Connected potential carers to agencies that match their skills and values.
- Inspired community conversations on fostering, parenting, and identity.
- Created a safe space for people to ask real questions about fostering without judgement.
Join the Conversation
Whether you’re considering fostering, know someone who could, or simply want to understand more about positive identity parenting, Roots Café is a place where you can sip, share, and belong.