Our enquiry team can discuss ways fostering can fit in with your own career and family. Call or email us today to learn more.
"My husband and I have six children, and 10, (soon to be 11!) grandchildren. We're used to a busy, noisy home surrounded by children. When they started flying the nest I felt like I wasn’t ready for that part of my life to be over."
"My daughter suggested we become foster carers, it felt right, so I made an enquiry,"
Since Angela's daughter suggested her parents become foster carers, they haven't looked back. Angela and her husband have been fostering a boy for four years, now he's part of their family.
"We began fostering four years ago. We met our first foster child in hospital, he was sadly recovering from all manner of abuse and neglect. The young lad is still with us, now aged 12. It’s been a pleasure to welcome him as a part of our family.
Fostering has been life enhancing for our whole family. I'm very proud of my children because they've opened their home, and their hearts too.
Our young lad is very much a part of our family. He tells me he's going to look after me when I'm an old lady, and take me shopping in his sports car!"
What has been the most rewarding part of fostering?
"For us, the most rewarding part of fostering has been experiencing all the 'firsts'. Our young lad hadn't seen anything that we would class as 'normal' in his life.
He had never experienced a birthday, or been to the beach and he didn't believe in Father Christmas. He thought Father Christmas wouldn't come to him because he was a naughty child, that's what he was told.
Most surprisingly, he had never been to a supermarket. I remember he was so excited to go the supermarket, when he got there his eyes lit up in awe!"
Angela praises Essex County Council's training and support offer
Our foster carers have access to support, including a 24/7 phone line, in-person support groups and foster carer networks.
"If you decide to become a foster carer, you won't be alone. There's good support for you, the young person and everyone in your family. We have a fantastic, supportive social worker.
Plus, the mental health co-ordinators have been brilliant in helping our young lad overcome his trauma."
Finally, what would Angela say to anyone thinking about becoming a foster carer?
"It’s amazing to give that magic back to a child. We've seen him recover and grow happily as part of a family, despite his awful start in life. Our foster child didn’t know what it was to be loved, but he does now.
There's all different types of fostering and I’m sure there is something that would fit most people. Even if you're working full-time, you can offer respite care which can be as little as a weekend a month.
If you’ve got a spare room, and you can open your heart and home to fostering, do it!"