Mick Davis Blog

“Fostering is one of the best things we’ve done; we started in our 50s and we wish we’d started sooner!” Essex foster carer Mick shares how rewarding fostering is for him, his foster children and the birth families

Pauline and I were childhood sweethearts and married when we were 17. We have now been together for over 45 years and have two daughters, with three grandchildren whom we adore. We’ve always loved having young people around the house and wanted to help those who needed it, so when they flew the nest, we decided to foster.

The day we were approved to become foster carers was very exciting and then meeting our first young person was just as amazing. We’ve now been fostering for over 10 years and fostered two children long term and several children for respite in that time. 

Our foster children have often been through a lot in their young lives. They want you to advocate for them, to stand in their corner, to show them that they are cared for and looked after. Family is so important to us. We make every foster child part of the family as soon as they come to us. All our foster children have grown up around our grandchildren and other foster children, so they have an extended family that they can keep in touch with.

Even though we have a big extended family that welcome our foster children, we also know how important it is for our foster children to keep in touch and build relationships with their birth families. Children can come into care for many reasons, and we are non-judgemental when we speak with birth families, and we keep them updated with their child’s successes and challenges.

At the end of the day we are looking after their children for them, so it’s important to keep those relationships strong and keep them included so they still feel a part of their lives. We do this to make sure they know that we will take care of their child for them. Even though they’re not with them all the time, they can still feel a part of their life.

We like fostering children who are just going through the transition from primary school into secondary school. Watching them develop from children into young adults is so rewarding.

Our current foster daughter has been with us for five years. As a child with a physical disability, early on we noticed that she was interested in sport and was extremely fast. She can outrun abled bodied children at school, so we helped her find out more about becoming a professional athlete. She has won so many medals in UK, Europe and international under 20s competitions, and we are so proud!

She’s successful because of her own skill and determination – we just pointed her in the right direction and supported her with the practicalities. As she grows up, she is becoming more independent, and with just a little guidance from us she is able follow her dream.

The support network we have around us is brilliant; our supervising social worker and the fostering groups are always available if we need advice or help with something. When you become a foster carer, you are not alone.

There are so many ways you can foster, from respite care to fostering children with disabilities, and until you talk to other foster carers at an information event, you may not know what’s best for you.

Fostering is one of the best things we’ve done; we started in our 50s and we wish we’d started sooner! If you’re thinking about fostering just do it. Whilst foster carers help children emotionally and mentally so that they can become whatever they want to be, it also enriches your own life at the same time.