Families that foster

Long-term fostering: Mark and Dawn

Mark was working long hours for the Highways Agency and spending too much time away from home. When his son and daughter had grown up and were living independently, Mark and his wife Dawn felt they still had plenty to give children and young people and that the nurturing side of parenting was something they didn’t want to lose.

Together, the couple became foster carers for two brothers. The initial short-term placement soon became long-term with the boys thriving and enjoying family life.

"The boys are very lucky, but we consider ourselves to be lucky too. Seeing how happy they are at home and in school is fantastic as they’ve made massive progress with their education. Deciding to become long-term foster carers wasn’t an easy decision but it was definitely the right one. It’s so rewarding, and I would definitely recommend it."

Empty nesters: Keith and Julie

When Keith and Julie’s two daughters grew up and left home the couple made the most of their new-found freedom, enjoying holidays in their caravan and trips abroad. But the house soon seemed too quiet. They wanted to fill their home with the love and laughter of children and young people who needed a place to stay.

"We enjoyed our time together and loved our holidays, but we definitely suffered from empty nest syndrome. We really missed being parents and the feeling of other people depending on you.

"The application process went very smoothly, and we had a fantastic social worker supporting us. We were approved in the December, and we were on holiday the following March when we got the email to say that we would have two sisters staying with us once we returned home."

The two girls remained with Keith and Julie and they became very much part of the family, enjoying holidays together with the couple’s daughters and five grandchildren.

Fostering with a family: Emma and Martin

Emma and Martin’s fostering journey started when their own children were very small and they transferred to Bolton Council from an independent fostering agency to benefit from the fostering team’s expert help, advice and support. They have fostered children and young people of all ages, taking care of sibling groups as well as more long-term placements.

Families come in all shapes and sizes, and that means Bolton Council needs families who can offer the right size and shape to support to any child who needs it, for however long they might need it.

"Life is unpredictable and you don’t always know what is going to happen, but we can offer a safe place that gives children a sense of security."

Single-parent foster carer: Kieran

Being a foster carer was something that Keiran had thought about for a long time. But as a single person who works full time for a charity, he wasn’t sure it would be possible.

"I knew I had something to offer a child and so when I saw an advert online, I enquired. The application process went into a lot of details. It was a very reflective process and very supportive, as we discussed everything that has happened in my life, so it was quite therapeutic.

"When I became approved it was only a few weeks until I got my first placement. I was really surprised at how well I took to it. I get a lot from it and I know the children feel the same. We have a great relationship and I’m just sad that it took me to the age of 42 to apply."

The fostering 'buddy': Shahida

Shahida is one of Bolton fostering team’s buddies, which involves helping Asian carers, offering help and advice whenever they need it.

Thirty years ago, Shahida visited a friend in London who was a foster carer. After listening to her friend talk about the lack of Asian foster carers across the country, Shahida returned home and, together with her husband, she started the enrolment process with Bolton Council’s fostering team.

The couple had three children of their own and have welcomed dozens of children and young people into their family over the past three decades.

"There have been some children who have come for one or two nights as emergency care and then others who have come on a more long-term basis."

Shahida has welcomed babies and children of all ages into her home and tries, where possible, to keep sibling groups together, as she knows this will benefit the children.

"It’s a close-knit group and we all support each other. There’s always someone that can help if you have a question or a concern.

"It’s very rewarding to see children happy and while it’s not easy seeing them leave and move on with their lives, I know that they have been given the best possible start while they were with me."