Claire

When I was 17 years old, I saw a documentary about children in care and it struck a chord with me so much so that I’ve wanted to foster ever since but didn’t think I had the opportunity to foster until the pandemic. I’ve now been fostering for two years and I’m in my 50s.

My husband and I were worried we wouldn’t be able to foster because we’ve never had children ourselves, but fostering is open to everyone. You can be any age over 21, any gender, any sexual orientation, and those who have or haven’t had their own children.

There are so many different ways in which you can foster to best suit your family, I foster as a respite carer. This means I have children stay with me for a few nights at a time providing respite care for other foster carers.  Essex County Council are keen that foster carers get to have a break, much like if you were to leave your children with their grandparents or an aunty for the weekend.

Read more about Claire's journey here.