I know how lucky I am to have been fostered by Derrick and Rachael. They are my family.
I was nine years old when I went into care, and I’m now 23, and have been living independently for four years, which I couldn’t have done without the support from my foster carers Derrick and Rachael.
I stayed with foster carers on two short-term placements before going to Derrick and Rachael, but I still picked up certain qualities from each carer I stayed with that have stayed with me until now.
When I was 10, I moved to be with Derrick and Rachael and was with them from the age of 10 to 18. I feel so lucky to have spent that much time in one place. They liked having children on long-term placements like I was because it would allow us to get settled.
When I moved in I was very shy and nervous, because it was a massive change for me, but they welcomed me and made me feel like part of their family and I settled with them quickly.
They helped me become more confident and come out of my shell a lot more and just helped me open up as a person. They made me feel seen and heard. I could talk to them about anything, and it wouldn’t faze them, they just listened and supported me.
When I moved into my own place, they helped me to clean, tidy and decorate before I moved in and they gave me some of their furniture to help get me started. Like I was their own child. They really care about their foster children and would do anything to help you.
Derrick and Rachael were amazing with me and the other children they fostered. They had an incredible amount of patience, which looking back now, I realise they need to make them great foster carers.
They made me feel like I had a home with them, I was just like everyone else. I had that stability and safety, which many people take for granted, and it’s those little things that make such a big difference.
Knowing they are on the end of the phone and that I have a place to call home when you haven’t had a home or a family before, is all you need as a foster child. You need love, you need stability, and you need someone to be in your corner.
Now I’m living on my own and I have a good job that I enjoy in telecoms. I look back at my time in foster care and I smile. It’s full of so many happy memories and I know how lucky I am to have been fostered by Derrick and Rachael. They are my family.