Ordinary people doing an extraordinary job
THE TOGETHER TRUST CAN HELP YOU BECOME A CARER...
IT’S NOT always possible for children and young people to live with their families – that’s where foster carers come in.
Across the north west there is a huge need for foster carers to offer secure homes to young people, especially children aged 10 and above, groups of siblings and those with special educational needs and disabilities.
Susie started fostering with the Together Trust, a Cheadle-based charity, over 14 years ago. Despite the ups and downs, she said it’s one of the most rewarding things she’s ever done.
Susie said: “One of the first placements I had didn’t end as well as I’d hoped - it almost put me off fostering.
“The girl was with me for three years but she didn’t like boundaries, which is something a lot of kids in care struggle with as they may never have had them before.
“She wanted her own flat at 16 and voted with her feet. Now she’s 25 and we’re back in touch. She has two children of her own who call me ‘Nana’, I think that’s one of the best things you can get out of fostering.”
Being a foster carer means being there to help young people to experience new things.
Susie said: “There are lots of ‘firsts’. The girl I’m caring for at the moment rode a donkey for the first time last year - at the age of 14 because she’d never been on one before. The highlights are just the little things I suppose, just seeing the pleasure on her face.”
Susie said the support from The Together Trust, a charity that supports new foster carers, has been invaluable.
“The Together Trust has a mentoring scheme, which puts new carers in touch with an experienced foster carer,” said Susie. “They can ask me absolutely anything, which I think is really important.”
Susie has one simple message for anyone considering becoming a foster carer: “Fostering is one of the most rewarding things you could ever do. It is challenging but the rewards far outweigh the challenges.”
If you’re curious about fostering or think you could make a difference to the life of a child or young person, you can find out more about fostering with the Together Trust at www.togethertrust.org.uk or by calling 0800 0522 250.