Caritas Care is calling for more people to consider fostering as the demand continues to grow and two of our foster carers, Sue and Carolyn, are sharing their story to show just how life-changing being part of a family can be for a child or young person.
Their experience of fostering highlights the power of community, connection and a family-focused approach, not just for the child they care for, but for everyone involved.
Sue’s journey into Fostering
Sue and her husband Steve became foster carers after a major life change. Following a stroke that meant they bother had to leave their long-term careers, fostering became a new chapter and a long-held dream for Sue.
“It was something I’d always wanted to do,” Sue said. “Steve thought they wouldn’t take him because of the disability but I said, ‘There’s no harm trying.’ And I was right, they did take us!”
After nearly a decade of fostering with another agency, the couple realised during the COVID pandemic that they needed a different kind of support.
“It was time for a change,” Sue explained. “We looked at what was on offer and Caritas Care really stood out. Because it’s a small charity, we instantly felt seen, known and valued.”
Carolyn’s path to Fostering
Carolyn came to fostering after many years working in childcare and caring for her father. Family has always been central to her life.
“I come from a big Irish family, there were always children around “ she said. “I thought maybe I could do a bit more for one or two. My husband said, ‘There’s a fostering agency down the road,’ and that was Caritas Care. I didn’t look elsewhere.”
“I come from a big Irish family – there were always children around,” she said. “I thought maybe I could do a bit more for one or two. My husband said, ‘There’s a fostering agency down the road,’ and that was Caritas Care. I didn’t look anywhere else.”
Carolyn now provides regular sleepovers for Sue’s long-term young person, Elsie (name changed), and what started as support quickly became something much more.
A Circle of Care That Feels Like Family
“We just say she’s staying with friends,” Carolyn smiled. “I’m like the foster auntie…or grandma…or ‘Fiona’! And my husband Keith is often known as ‘Shrek’, depending on the day!”
For Sue, the impact of this family-style support has been huge.
“Elsie is completely part of our family,” she said. “But we need sleepovers and Caritas Care made sure the support felt right for her. She doesn’t take all her things anymore. She knows there’s a towel there, a lamp there and that she belongs.”
That sense of belonging goes beyond just one household.
“It’s a family, “Sue added. “We see each other at activities, we can call on each other and the childen have that sense of belonging. They have their birth family, their foster family and their Caritas Care family.”
Why Caritas Care makes the difference
Both carers say the close-knit community feel at Caritas Care is what makes fostering work.
“If my social worker isn’t there, anyone can help because they all know us,” Sue said. “We’re valued and that’s important.“
Carolyn agrees, I couldn’t have asked for a better group of people. With Caritas Care, it’s a family. You’re never on your own.”
“It’s about providing a family.”
So why does their partnership work so well? “It just works,” Carolyn said.
“We’re making it as normal a family as possible for her, “Sue added. “It’s not about being a foster carer. It’s about providing a family.”
Could you foster?
Caritas Care is encouraging more people to consider fostering, including offering sleepovers, as the need for foster carers continues to ride.
“Don’t rule yourself out,” Sue said. “People think they’re not good enough or can’t do it, but we’ve all got it in us somewhere.”
“Just give it a go,” Carolyn added. “You’ll never know unless you try.”
Sue also wants to challenge common myths around fostering.
“Neurodiverse people rule themselves out. Older people rule themselves out. People with disabilities rule themselves out. But honestly, what is normal? If it feels right for your family, just start the process and see where it takes you.”
Lucy Doughty, Fostering Service Manager at Caritas Care, said, “The relationship that has developed between the families is something really special. This story shows how important supportive communities are around children and young people and how fostering can change the lives of everyone involved. We’re so thankful to have foster carers like Sue and Carolyn as part of our fostering family.”
