Raring2go! PLACES TO GO 5 If you live in Worcestershire, visit: worcestershire.gov.uk/fostering or call: 0800 028 2458 If you live in Herefordshire, visit: herefordshire.gov.uk/fostering or call: 01432 383240 LOCAL CHILDREN URGENTLY IN NEED OF LOVING FOSTER FAMILIES The shortage of fostering families is a national crisis, and we are seeing more and more children coming in to care who need a stable and loving home. Our foster carers regularly join us to talk about fostering. Here are some of the questions they get asked most often: Do you need a spare room? We didn’t when we started the process, but we had a loft conversion done thinking we could have a lodger if fostering didn’t work out. For looking after children and babies under 2, you don’t need a spare room as they can be in a cot in your bedroom. I’d find it hard to say goodbye, how do you do it? Our job as foster carers is to stand in the gap and love wholeheartedly, holding nothing back because that’s what the children in our care need. And because of my wonderful support network through church, family, friends and the fostering service, I have people to help me pick up the pieces afterwards. What about the impact on other children in the house? Initially, I was concerned about negative influences from other children, worrying they might teach my children language or behaviours I didn’t like. However, after fostering for eight years, I can confidently say it has significantly impacted my permanent children, in a positive way. My children have learnt to be patient, kind, thoughtful, open minded and non-judgemental because of all they have seen and understood. They have experienced loss when they say goodbye to little ones who may have lived with us for over a year but, in most cases, we have stayed in touch which brings such a richness to our lives. Find out more about fostering
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