From supporting babies and young children to caring for teenagers, siblings and unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, foster carers across the East Midlands are making a difference every day.

There is no one type of person who can foster, and no single fostering journey. Foster carers come from different backgrounds and have different experiences. They provide different types of care, but they all have one thing in common: they want to make a positive difference to a child’s life.

Lydia, “All children need someone to keep them safe”

Lydia fosters with Nottingham City Council and believes every child deserves love, care and safety.

“I know that all children need help,” says Lydia. “They need care, they need support, they need someone to hug them.”

For Lydia, fostering is also about helping children develop everyday routines and skills. She describes supporting one young child with personal hygiene and encouraging him to brush his teeth twice a day.

After two weeks of practising the routine together, Lydia could see the difference it was making.

Her message to anyone considering fostering is simple, “They need care, they need support, they need someone to hug them.”

Watch Lydia's story on YouTube.

Dianne, “When you see that child flourish, it’s just amazing”

Dianne has fostered with Derby City Council for around eight years. She started with emergency short breaks and teenagers before moving on to caring for siblings on a long-term basis.

One of her most memorable experiences was supporting a young girl whose goal was to return home. After facing challenges together, the young person eventually returned to her family and Dianne has continued to keep in touch.

“It’s just nice to hear how she’s getting along,” says Dianne, describing receiving photographs and birthday cards and being invited to visit.

Dianne acknowledges that fostering can have challenging moments, but says the rewards make it worthwhile.

“If you can help a child, you know, that is something massive and positive,” she says. “When you just see that child flourish, it’s just amazing.”

Watch Dianne's story on YouTube. 

Nikki, “It’s been the most rewarding thing we’ve ever done”

Nikki has been fostering with Derbyshire County Council for more than a year, currently caring for children aged up to two.

Fostering wasn't something Nikki had originally expected to do until she and her husband were older. But after losing her dad, they began to look at life differently.

“We just said, you know, tomorrow’s not guaranteed,” explains Nikki. “So we applied to be foster carers and not wait.”

For Nikki, fostering has meant experiencing childhood milestones all over again from crawling and walking to seeing a child grow in confidence.

“It’s just like going through all those milestones again and just seeing the joy that they bring to you,” she says.

Her advice to anyone considering fostering? “Just go for it. Like you won’t regret it. It’s so rewarding.”

Watch Nikki's story on YouTube. 

George, “Give them a bit of a safe haven”

George fosters with Derby City Council and has been fostering for around three years. He and his wife decided to focus on supporting unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.

For George, fostering is about providing a safe and supportive home to young people who have arrived in the UK from countries where they may have experienced difficult circumstances.

“We’re looking to foster children who have come here from various other countries that are in many ways more dangerous and to give them a bit of a safe haven,” he explains.

George has seen first-hand how young people can grow in confidence with the right support. One young person he currently cares for has become more confident, happier and motivated to learn English, do well at school and take part in sport.

His advice to anyone thinking about fostering is straightforward: “Go for it because you’re going to get help and assistance.”

Debbie, “You see their confidence build”

Debbie has fostered with Derbyshire County Council for around five years. She provides short break care and care for children while longer-term plans are being made.

Alongside three placements lasting between six and 18 months, Debbie has welcomed many children for short breaks, including one child who stayed every weekend for around 15 months.

For Debbie, some of the most memorable moments are often the simple ones, such as seeing a child have their hair cut how they want it and suddenly walk down the street with greater confidence.

“Just to see their confidence and their beaming faces and the difference a simple haircut makes is really memorable,” she says.

She also enjoys giving children opportunities to try new things and watching their confidence grow.

“They go from walking with their heads down to having their heads up,” Debbie explains.

Debbie’s own children are involved in family life with foster children too, helping them learn about being caring, tolerant and inclusive.

Watch Debbie's story on YouTube. 

Isabella, “That’s exactly what we’re supposed to do”

Isabella fosters with Nottinghamshire County Council and has spent the last two and a half years providing support care, mainly for children under two. She has also previously fostered longer term.

For Isabella, some of the most powerful moments come when a child begins to feel safe.

She describes seeing babies go from being unresponsive to smiling, making eye contact and responding to songs, signs that they are beginning to feel secure.

“With older children… it’s when they finally feel safe and the real child starts to shine out,” says Isabella.

Isabella also challenges one of the common concerns people have about fostering, becoming attached to a child. “Of course I get attached,” she says. “That’s exactly what we’re supposed to do.” She believes it is better for a child to experience a caring adult who becomes attached to them, even when saying goodbye can eventually be difficult.

“As a secure adult, I have all the tools I need to cope with the grief of letting go,” she explains.

Watch Isabella's story on YouTube.

Making a difference

The stories of our foster carers show that fostering can take many forms, but the difference a caring adult can make is significant.

Councillor Paul Hezelgrave, Lead Cabinet Member for Foster for East Midlands Councils, said:

“Our foster carers give children the stability, care and support they need to thrive. There is no typical foster carer – what matters is having the care and commitment to support a child.

“I hope these stories inspire more people to find out about fostering and discover how they too could make a difference.”

Could you be a foster carer?

Whether you provide short breaks, care for siblings, support a teenager or give a young child a safe and secure home, you can make a difference. Foster carers receive training, guidance and ongoing support from their local council fostering service.

Any of us can make a difference in a child’s life. Could you be the one?

Find out more about fostering with Foster for East Midlands Councils, call 03033 132 950 or visit Foster for East Midlands Councils web page.