BBC - Asian Network - Silver Street The Residents

Shirley Holloway
Played by Ellen Thomas

DOB: : 15th June 1946
FAMILY : Father – ‘Gramps’ Eustace, Children – Clive, Sarah and Sway
LIVES: The Holloway Family home in Hackney, London
WORK:
CHARACTER: Shirley is a compassionate and kind-hearted Christian. She has a natural warmth to her and is an understanding, patient woman. Shirley has an infectious laugh and it’s hard not to like her. She spent many years as a foster carer opening her home to many children who needed stability and a family.
STAR SIGN : Gemini

Shirley

“I don’t know what to say…I’ve always found it hard to talk about myself. Sarah and Sway are always saying that I don’t take enough time for myself. I’ve kind of got used to it and don’t know much else. Ever since my dear husband died I had to raise Sarah, Sway and Clive up myself, it wasn’t always easy but I’m just glad that Dad moved in when he did. I always felt that our home was full of love and happiness, that’s one of the biggest reasons why I decided to become a foster carer. I wanted to share our family’s love with children who needed it."

"Over the years, there have been many children who walked through our door and stayed with us. You probably know one of them well, Kuljit. Seeing him today makes me so proud and I couldn’t have cared for him anymore if he were my own son. After his mother died and his father was sectioned to a psychiatric hospital he needed some stability and love. Kuljit and my youngest son Sway were good friends and I knew that I had to do something to help this poor boy."

"However, trying to convince the authorities was no easy task. A lot of it had to do with race; they felt that Kuljit should stay with an Asian family. It was obvious that it hadn’t worked in the past. He had stayed with relatives and other families but he was never able to settle. Such narrow mindedness about colour and race makes me angry. Now, it looks like I’m going to have to deal with the same struggle again. Sway has fallen for Nadia and whilst I’m happy that he has found someone whom he truly loves, I can’t help but worry he is out of depth. He was prepared to convert to Islam and abandon his Christian upbringing just to please her and her family but I don't see them doing much to please him! I will always be there for him, as I am for all of my children. I just hope that he doesn’t lose faith in who is and finds the strength to get through this."…”