We will have fostered for 5 years soon and have been with Nexus Fostering for four years. We chose to foster with them for the excellent support and because are always at hand if we have any problems.
Before fostering we were carers, but we always wanted to foster once our own children were all grown up and had flown the nest. We have always wanted to help children and give them a stable family life
We find fostering so rewarding and love to see the children blossoming, happy, and building up their confidence and achieving things that they never would have experienced. As for the young person they settle and like to have the stability off a normal home life; they know they will be safe, that we are always there 24/7 for them.
When you get a new placement they are often scared and emotional, but you just have go slowly with them at the child’s pace and not overwhelm them and to see them starting to trust you and settle in
We think one of our fondest memory was our placement last Christmas when David and I got married and we were able to share it with our placement and also taking him to the seaside for the first time and seeing his little face looking at the sea and then playing in it!
We have so many fond memories with all our placements that we have had its hard to choose the fondest memory as they’re all our favourites.
If we had to describe fostering in three words, it would be:
- Challenging
- Rewarding
- Fulfilling
Through our fostering journey Nexus have been excellent and have always been at hand to support us if it’s at the end of the phone or in person.
We would highly recommend fostering as there is nothing better to give a child or teenager a loving home and stability, it’s so rewarding.
At Christmas time it can be a hard time for young people we always make Christmas plans together and tend to stretch out the presents over 3 days so it’s not too overwhelming for them.
We decorate the tree together and we all do Christmas activities together and make it a magical time as best we can.