We are Liz and Matt, and we have been fostering for about 18 months now, having both retired in the last few years, after working in the NHS. In our journey so far, we have looked after a total of six young children, for varying lengths of time.
We are currently caring for one baby, but are registered to accept two children as short-term carers, occasionally taking other children as respite when asked.
We want to share a little with you about our routine so you can understand what fostering could look like! At the moment, we wake at about 6:30, feed our young child breakfast and then get them to sleep again for an hour or so mid-morning. We do try and get out for fresh air each day so each day can look a little different. We have lunch and then it’s time for an afternoon nap for the youngster, and then they wake, we play with them and keep them occupied, feed them their tea, bath them and get them ready for bed with a story by about 6:30/7. Then, we have our own supper and settle down to relax for the evening.
In between looking after the young one, we try to get some household jobs done, such as gardening, DIY, cleaning, cooking, tidying, etc. During the week, we also take our child to family contact with their parents three times a week, plus we go to any child-centred appointments, such as GP or hospital appointments as required.
We chose to foster a baby due to where we live, as it’s quite rural, plus, it means we can maintain some of our existing social enjoyment, such as meeting up with friends, clubs, and getting out and about. We feel that for us, fostering a young child is where we can make the most positive impact within our own existing lifestyle and our children and grandchildren have come on this journey with us.
For us, the most rewarding part of fostering is seeing the children grow and thrive. This makes use feel a that we’re a part of helping each child move to a permanent home, whatever decision is made regarding their long-term future.
We have learn an enormous amount during our time fostering, through training, discussions with more experienced foster carers and through hands-on experience, supported by professionals. We have invested much time in the children we have cared for and this has reduced our free time. We have met many wonderful and inspiring people and therefore developed ourselves in the process. There are quite a few fostering based social activities to enjoy with other fostering families too. We feel that fostering has clearly changed our lives for the better and opened up our minds in many positive ways, helping us to understand people, their difficulties and circumstances, and how we can hopefully make a positive contribution to the children in our care, their family and the wider society in our area.
To anyone who might be considering fostering, you should consider how it may impact your life and your family (because it will), and what age child you would be best able to help and make a positive contribution to their life chances. You will need to think about how much time you are able to commit and how you would work around any existing and future commitments, whether they be work, home, social or holidays. You would need to think about how rewarding it can be to see a young person grow and develop in a secure, safe, supportive and constructive home and how much of a positive effect this will have on their life. You will meet lots of new people who will encourage and inspire you, and you will do the same for them. Please give the opportunities that fostering provides a lot of careful thought, speak to other carers and professionals who will support, encourage and gently challenge you. It’s not the right thing for everyone, but if you think it is right for you, start to explore fostering as a possibility for you and your family as it can be so rewarding.
For us, our favourite memories in fostering so far have been seeing our young cared-for children grow, thrive and develop, and then move on to a permanent, supportive, loving and caring future home, where they can further grow and develop into the people they would want to be. We have learnt a lot, given a lot and been rewarded by so much.