Meet the children

Bebe shares their experience of being fostered and how their foster carer helped to unlock their true potential.

Charlotte shares their experience of being fostered and how their foster carer helped to unlock their true potential.

Cody shares their experience of being fostered and how their foster carer helped to unlock their true potential.

Tom shares their experience of being fostered and how their foster carer helped to unlock their true potential.

Josh Thompson, aged 24 from Basildon, went into foster care when he was 8 years old. He shares how he excelled at school and developed a successful career after slotting straight into his foster family.

Kerry Thatcher, aged 28 and a new mum was placed into foster care when I was 13. She shares how her foster carers made her feel really welcome and made her believe that she could achieve.

Essex foster care leaver Abi, explains how important foster carers are for children in care.

Essex foster carer leaver Michael, explains how important foster carers are for children in care.

James, an Essex foster care leaver, explains how important his foster carers were for him.

In September I will be going to university as a student social worker, which is a subject very close to me.

Police Constable Stuart Sheridan has been in the care system since he was a baby. Now 32, he tells the story of how being fostered at the age of 7 set him on a new path in life.

Imogen Halley, aged 19 from Braintree, was fostered by Nick just three years ago. Here, she explains how his kindness has given her opportunities she never imagined.