Personally, my fostering experience has been very good. I feel safe and loved. I don’t see it as being in foster care I see it as being with family. It’s changed my life in a number of ways. I feel better mentally and physically. I know it was something I needed, and I feel like I have a real family now. Fostering gives children and teenagers a home when they don’t have one or don’t have a safe one.
People think children who are looked after are naughty. People also may think they want to be alone when actually they’re just scared. My advice for new foster carers is to believe in yourself. A child believing you can make a change will help. And remember you may be nervous but remember how the child feels. This is all new to them too. Saying goodbye is easy in some ways but you never “manage” because you’re being taken from your brothers and sisters in my case. You don’t know what’s happening during your time away. My foster carer has really helped me. They make a change for the better. I feel that if I needed something I’d have the support and that if I needed someone I’d know where to turn.
My life has been changed for the best. I have the best foster carers in the world and don’t think you can top them, but also don’t think every person feels this way. Some children hate being in care but even if they hate it, still being there for them is great. With my fostering family we do all sorts; beaches, walks, swimming, restaurants, and holidays – even the simplest of things like sitting down at the table for dinner is nice.
My biggest aspiration is to have a genuine career such as, become a vet or therapist – something helping others. After having my own job, I would like to be a foster carer.
*Name has been changed
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