I have learnt how to share my mum with others that need her

We know that the number one barrier to fostering is how potential foster carers believe it might affect their relationship with their birth children, but it can in fact be a rewarding and positive experience for the whole family. The children of our foster carers do an incredible job in helping their foster brothers and sisters settle in and feel welcome. They share their homes, their parents and their time, and the success of a placement is often due to their generosity and kindness in making sure their foster brothers and sisters feel at welcome. They tell us of the pride they take in being part of a fostering family, and how they like being able to help someone who has had a difficult start in life.

 

Michelle and her husband Gavin have been fostering younger children and siblings for two years. Here’s what their birth children, now aged 14, 9 and 7 had to say about their fostering journey;

What’s your favourite thing about fostering?

"That we get to be a big sister /brother and that we get to help someone"

 What have you learnt since being a foster brother or sister?

"That there are children that don't have what we have and that we can help them"

What were you worried about before your family started to foster?

"We were worried that our family would be too much for a scared foster child because we are a big family but we are careful to be calm whena child arrives because it can be exciting for us but scary for the children coming into care"

Have you enjoyed being a foster brother/sister?

"Yes because we like helping other people and can see we have helped be role models with language and meal times"

What has been the most challenging part of fostering for you?

"We think it will be challenging when our looked after child moves on"

 

Natasha has been fostering teenagers as a single carer with her children, aged 13 and 8 for two years.

What’s your favourite thing about fostering?

"I like seeing things get better for the young people who live with us"

"I like meeting new people and getting to know them"

 What have you learnt since being a foster brother or sister?

"I have learnt lots about other cultures"

"I have learnt how to share my mum with others that need her and I have learnt about how people live in other countries"

What were you worried about before your family started to foster?

"I worried a bit about if the children that might come would click with us. It’s not a worry now though!"

"I worried if the children would like me and we would get on ok but we got on great. It’s tricky when you can’t speak the same language sometimes"

Have you enjoyed being a foster brother/sister?

"I have enjoyed seeing things get better for the young people that we have looked after"

"I have enjoyed meeting different people"

 

Thank you to all the children of our foster carers. You are incredible examples of compassion, kindness and maturity.

If you think you and your family could foster contact us on 01273 29544 or Enquire Now