In this heartfelt episode of Polly Talks, Polly sits down with Louise Allen, a mum, foster carer, and care-experienced individual, to explore the foster care system from a truly unique perspective. Louise shares her personal journey openly and honestly, reflecting on her own experiences as a care-experienced child and the insights she’s gained as a foster carer. With warmth, honesty, and practical advice, she offers guidance for anyone considering fostering, while also highlighting the pioneering work she’s done advocating for the rights of foster families and care-experienced children. This episode is an inspiring and eye-opening conversation about care, compassion, and the power of making a difference.
22 Jan 2026
Polly Talks Birth Parents Perspectives with Mandy
In this episode of Polly Talks, Polly is joined by Mandy, who worked within the Scottish Adoption and Fostering team as part of the Bluebird Project—an initiative supporting families with children in adoption, permanent fostering, or kinship care. Mandy reflects on her role as a Support Worker and the meaningful ways she walked alongside families throughout their journeys.
She also speaks candidly about her own powerful experience as a birth parent who lost permanent care of a child, and how that deeply personal journey helped to shape the empathy and understanding she brought to her work.
This conversation is a moving and honest exploration of the complex, lifelong paths that many birth parents navigate. We are extremely grateful to Mandy for sharing her story, and we hope it brings insight, comfort, and connection to those who listen.
1 Nov 2025
Polly Talks Adoption and Fostering: Your Voice, Your Story with Chris from the Scottish Book Trust
🎙 Polly Talks Adoption and Fostering — Episode: Your Voice, Your Story with Chris Leslie
This episode, Polly sits down with Chris Leslie from the Scottish Book Trust, the manager leading the inspiring Your Voice, Your Story programme. Together, they explore how storytelling can empower care-experienced young people and birth parents to share their journeys in their own words and in their own unique way.
Chris talks about his work with our young people’s groups and the Bluebird Project, a creative space for birth parents, helping them find confidence and connection through the power of story.
It’s a powerful, moving, and uplifting conversation about creativity, identity, and the healing strength of being heard.
Tune in for an episode full of insight, empathy, and inspiration.
Who has been a guest on Polly Talks Adoption & Fostering
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Darren
Sarah
Louisa
Jamie
Holly
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Spotify
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 35 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
57
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
Contact Polly Talks Adoption & Fostering
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Questions about Polly Talks Adoption & Fostering
Who hosts Polly Talks Adoption & Fostering?
Polly host the show. Published by Scottish Adoption & Fostering.
How often do new episodes come out?
The show publishes monthly, based on its RSS feed.
Does Polly Talks Adoption & Fostering take guests?
Yes. Guests have been identified in episode analyses.
Host of Polly Talks Adoption & Fostering?
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