I had always dreamed of having a home with a large family; however, life didn’t pan out as hoped. Mostly, this was because I had moved around a lot as a child; therefore, I wanted a large family home to give me and my family stability. My dream of having a large family stopped once we had our own two children, and, like most people, we worked hard to provide for our family. However,  I carried on nurturing the dreams of a house filled with children and family as a foster carer.

Finally, the break came. I had worked for over 25-years as a Medical Secretary in a local hospital; I heard the rumour there was a possibility of me being made redundant. Hence, redundancy provided the perfect opportunity for Stuart and me to begin our fostering career, and this is how our dream began.

Becoming foster carers has given me the dream I always wanted; it is the perfect family feeling that has made a difference in all our lives.

Our relationship together is normal for children, and the difference is good.

My husband Stuart is the practical one in our fostering partnership. There is a strong balance in our relationship; this balance positively impacts the children, including our birth children. I also see the vital skills that male foster carers offer to children because men think differently and act differently. For some children, especially those who have never had a positive male role model, it is a significant relationship that is unique to them. Equally important is that children understand that every relationship is different, yet we are all the same family.

We want the best for all our children, and this includes the best education. Hopefully, the children will move on to college or even University, but only if this is the right thing for them. We want the best for them because, ultimately, the children we care for are ours, and they are our responsibility.

We love them equally; therefore, our love will give them the best.

Click here to enquire about fostering with Caritas Care

Rated Outstanding by Ofsted.

Special thanks to Verve Recruitment for their support in helping us find more foster carer for more children.