Who We Are

Power of Parenting was established by Paul and Samantha Adams in 2016. Paul retired early from the Met Police and Samantha was able to find a little more time in her role as a career mother to our four children. We resolved to try to make a difference for local Looked After Children (Foster Children).

So with this in mind and with the support of all our own children, who were to play an active part in fostering, we trained to become Foster Carers for Bracknell Forest Council, becoming fully certified in 2012.

We genuinely feel that they have made a difference to several young lives. It is this that we find so fulfilling and rewarding. We want to spread the word in the hope that others may get involved and give their support. The result of greater support and more foster carers would make such a difference to so many young lives.

Almost eight years on, POP has achieved so much more than both he and Sam could ever have hoped. A much expanded board of Trustees has been brought together to grow the organisation and allow POP to take the next steps (see below).

People Involved

Paul Adams

Founder and CEO

After 32 years in the Metropolitan Police, Paul is passionate about giving Foster Children the same opportunities as more fortunate children who are not in care. A much expanded board of Trustees has been pulled together to allow Paul to continue to focus on new ideas and making new connections.

 

Chis Edward

Chair of Trustees

 

 

 

 

 

 

Caroline Veasey

Operations Manager

Caroline Veasey joined POP in May 2023 having previously worked for John Lewis for 27 years. She brings a wealth of experience in HR, fundraising and care experience programmes. Caroline is passionate about making a difference in our local community and is using her extensive skills to build great relationships that will take POP to the next level.

Joy Cook

Operations Manager Part time

Joy joined POP in October 2019 as Operations Manager to support Paul in the day to day running of the charity. With a background in IT sales & Marketing, as well as having run a couple of her own businesses and extensive work in the chairty sector to support her son's special needs schools.

 

Sarah Lewis

Trustee

As the owner of local business Country Carpets in Walton-on-Thames, Sarah brings a wealth of experience and contacts to the table. A passionate supporter of Power of Parenting since the very beginning, we are delighted to welcome Sarah to the Board of Trustees.

 

 

John Weaver

Trustee

After a 35 year career in BT in senior leadership roles, John is now a Non Executive director in the NHS and on several private sector boards. John's aim to leverage this experience to benefit a charity which is very close to his own heart.

 

 

 

Georgie Adams

Trustee

Living with Foster Siblings is not always easy, Georgie does it with so much grace and love, her experience is invaluable to the charity.

 

 

 

Gia Callaghan

Trustee

As Counter Manager at Barclays Bank, Reading, Gia brings undoubted financial expertise to the table. Something we will need more and more of, as our growth acclerates.

 

Samantha Adams

Primary Foster Carer, Professional Advocate for Looked After Children – Career Mother

As a Foster Parent of over 8 years and having had more than 17 children pass through her home, Sam brings much insight and experience.

 

 

Vik Maharaj

Trustee

As an owner of multiple businesses, Vik has much experience with start-ups and is well versed in growing organisations from the ground up.

 

Phil Dugdale

Trustee

 

Oliver Harding-Edgar

Trustee

My social work career over the last five years has provided me with a 360 viewpoint of a child's journey through the Local Authority system. I have worked across nearly all teams beginning at the point a referral is made right through to taking that child into care where necessary and being the allocated social worker. More recently, I have been lucky enough to support foster carers as a supervising social worker and I retain an interest in this area via my work as an independent panel member

 

Brian Murphy

Trustee

Current supporters of Power of Parenting