Ordinary things were amazing 

 

"There were two brothers – they’re adopted now and doing great. When they were with me I think they never got over the idea that they’d actually get something to eat EVERYDAY!

 

"I loved watching them eat – you’ve never seen anything like it. Their teacher told me that they used to run and show her the lunch boxes I made up for them and tell her exactly what they’d had for dinner the night before and what they’d be having today.

 

"Ordinary things were amazing to them. And believe me we ‘re not talking posh cuisine at our house – just your regular chips and stuff."

 

Tracey – foster carer since 1995 – mainly younger children

 

 

"Everybody has a duty. Everybody has jobs to do including my own children as well as foster children. They all have to clean their own bedroom. We all do the housework - it's all done by sharing. If it's only me doing it all, I'm lumbered up in the kitchen all the time. So, no chance!"

 

Manjeet – foster carer since 1987 for all ages

 

 

"Two boys came to me with severe neglect. I helped them - taught them about hygiene, taught them to brush their teeth.

"They started to really take a pride in their appearance - always wanting to comb their hair and look good. When they looked good they started to feel better about themselves."

 

Belinda and Franklin – foster carers since 1996 – for school-age children

 

 

"My older son has enjoyed taking the younger ones under his wing and he's helped them with reading and things like that. He taught one boy who was a few years older than he was how to tell the time. He has really enjoyed the sense of achievement."

 

Pradeep – foster carer since 1989 for school-age children

 

 

"At first, fostering did seem quite a lot of responsibility to take on, but you just weigh it up and think well, these kiddies need somewhere to stay and it's just the average person that they look for really isn't it?"

 

Gary and Linda – foster carers since 1990 for younger children

 

 

"Everybody wants to help a child. That sounds great in theory, but there is a lot of work in it and a lot of understanding. I think if you can accept that you'd make a good foster family."

 

Rick and Mandy – foster carers since 1984 – all ages

 

 

"I thought the fostering training course would be a complete waste of time. But it was really good. I learned a lot and I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would. The Social Worker has to visit you at home and it’s all very friendly and relaxed.

 

"Even so the questions we were asked were quite personal some of the time, but I felt they needed to be. The Fostering Team needs to know us before they can place other people's children with us.

 

"If my children had to go into foster care I would want to know that these people, whoever they were going to, were vetted."

 

Hazel – foster carer since 1999 – school age children

 

 

"A lad of 12 came to us. It was his birthday so we used some of his birthday allowance to get him a pair of in-line skates. We wrapped them up nice with a few other things that our kids and family members bought.

 

"We got a cake in and a bit of pop. Thought we’d surprise him. He burst into tears. He’d never had a present in his whole life. Can you imagine that? Can you imagine everything else he’s missed out on?"

 

Marcus and Anthea – foster carers since 1992 for all ages

 

 

"The first children we had didn't even know how to put their turbans on. It's two years since they left, but they still keep coming back to say hello. It's really nice. It's something you teach them and something that makes you feel happy."

 

Ramila – foster carer since 1995 for all ages

 

 

"We saw on TV that the council was asking for black people to come forward to foster. We decided that we had a home that we would like to offer. I think it's important for black children to be able to see black people and black families in a positive way."

 

Anthea and Lloyd – foster carers since 1984 for all ages

 

 

"I just enjoy having children around, helping them to play and learn new things. It’s good for our own children to learn to share and help others.

 

"Most foster children go back home after a month or two. So we feel good knowing we’ve helped them and their families get back together again."

 

Gita and Mukesh – foster carers since 1994 mainly for toddlers and younger children

 

 

"I’d advise anyone to take it that bit further and see what fostering has to offer. Until you start meeting foster carers and finding out more about it you will always be wondering whether or not fostering would have been such a wonderful experience for you as it has been for me."

 

Glenice – foster carer since 1977 for all ages

 

 

If you would like to know more about fostering or, if you would like to apply, please contact us.