Amie McArdle – Leaving Care Advisor
My name is Amie McArdle, and I am a senior nursing assistant for the NHS in my local A&E department. I started my journey with UK Fostering as a Panel Member, helping to approve potential carers.
Moving into independence at a young age can be very scary. Budgets, opening accounts, paying bills, jobs, and then there’s the learning to shop, cook and how to put together healthy meals, not to mention the personal healthcare side of living too…..
I have been there, got the t-shirt and come out the other side relatively unscathed. Having left my family home at the age of 15 years old, I faced all the difficulties that our care leavers will face. It was my “self-taught” skills at budgeting and being very organised that got me through. It can be a scary and overwhelming world, but it really doesn’t have to be. With the right support and guidance a young person can confidently move on to their next journey….and that’s where I come in.
I have helped develop UK Fostering’s ‘Ultimate Guide to Independence and will be on hand to support those transitioning to leave care. I will also be on hand for any of our care leavers who need support. If they need help with a form or advise on a recipe, or even just a chat to help their general well-being…they can call or WhatsApp me.