Foster parents made me a better person
TEENAGER BACKS CAMPAIGN TO RECRUIT CARERS
A TEENAGER who was in care since the age of eight says his foster parents helped turn his life around.
Chester Reid, 17, had several different foster families, and is speaking out as part of a campaign by Tameside council bosses to appeal for more people to come forward and become foster parents.
Chester, from Ashtonunder-Lyne, said: “Foster carers are amazing – every single foster carer I have been with has helped to make me who I am today. “Being in foster care can have its up and downs, but I am a better person than I would have been without the support of my carers – I don’t know what I would have done without them.” After completing his GCSEs, Chester left foster care and moved into a bedsit on the care-leaver programme. He said: “It felt a little bit daunting but I was also ready to be independent. You still get lots of support and help with things like paying bills and sorting your finances. Chester Reid
“I still keep in touch with my foster carers and go around for meals.
“Whenever I see any of my former foster carers it’s great – we give each other a hug and they are pleased to see that I’m doing well in my life.
“I’m also in touch with my mum and am very close to my little sister still – I get on well with her foster carers and so I can see her lots.”
Chester now works for Tameside council, running a programme for adults with learning disabilities.
He said: “I absolutely love it – you really get to know them and their different personalities and it’s good to feel you are contributing something positive to their day. I don’t know what my long-term future holds but I find that exciting – I have learned over the years not to look too far ahead and make the most of all opportunities.
“Anyone considering fostering should go for it – you could really make a difference for a young person, like my foster carers did for me.”
A fostering drop-in event will be held on Tuesday, June 6 (12-3pm) at the Denton Centre, Acre St, Denton.
The council’s Foster Care Fortnight, which runs until May 21, is this year highlighting how fostering can transform lives.