Laura saysÉ

if i hadn’t been placed with Bev, i honestly don’t know where i’d be as i was on a downward spiral. People might think that foster kids need more boundaries or to be showered with gifts to make up for neglect, but in fact you just want normality. Bev treated me as a family member from the start. she has one main rule – no lies – which helped us build trust. she always said, “you’re a lovely person, all these bad experiences will count for something.” no one had shown me that level of support. when the Prince’s trust opportunity came up, Bev encouraged me to mentor others. i think of Bev as my mum as she’s done everything in the job description bar give birth to me. she was amazing when i was pregnant and my daughter calls her “nana”. i know Bev always has my back.

To find out more about becoming a foster carer, visit barnardos.org.uk/ fostering or call 0800 0277 280 >>