Matthew Page | Speaker
Bridging Lived Experience with National Policy & Professional Excellence
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Matthew Page is a powerful and authoritative voice within the UK care sector, dedicated to transforming how organisations understand, support, and champion children and young people. With 18 years of lived experience within the care system, Matthew brings a profound "360-degree" perspective to the stage, moving beyond narrative to offer strategic, empathetic insights for modern services.
Matthew’s personal journey of self-discovery was featured on the BBC’s DNA Family Secrets with Stacey Dooley, exploring the complexities of heritage and the "missing pages" of identity. This national platform allowed Matthew to highlight the vital importance of cultural identity and the impact of appearance on a child’s sense of belonging—themes he now champions at the highest levels of advocacy.
As a Trustee of The Fostering Network, Matthew sits at the heart of national policy. He is a member of the steering committee led by national campaigner Terry Galloway who works directly with Parliament and the Children’s Commissioner to have "Care Experience" recognised as a Protected Characteristic under the Equality Act. This landmark campaign has already seen over 100 UK councils commit to treating care experience as a protected status. Matthew is a frequent contributor to major sector events, recently speaking at Fatima Whitbread’s ‘One Voice’ Summit at London’s Guildhall.
His recent work with Medway Council involves spearheading initiatives for inclusive fostering, ensuring that carer recruitment and support systems are diverse, equitable, and effective for the modern community.
