“Age is not really relevant, be you 30 or 60, as long as you have the care and commitment to give a child.”

Chris is 73 and from Runcorn. She’s been a foster carer for 45 years.

Why did you become a foster carer and what attracted you to being a foster carer for Halton borough council?

“We had a spare bed so decided to give a child some help whilst the family needed it, it was Cheshire who approved us back in 1978.”

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your family (e.g. any jobs you have, if you have a partner/birth children, what you like to do as a family)

“My husband and I foster alongside our family who are all involved, we have been married 53 years have 4 birth children, 10 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.”

Have you fostered siblings? If you have, please share what it is like, why it is important to keep siblings together, the pros and cons etc.

“Over the years we have fostered a number of siblings, some have been really successful and are still part of our family now. On the rare occasion it has broken down it’s usually because of previous ongoing problems before they arrive with you.”

Have you permanently fostered a child (or is it something you would like to do in the future?) Please talk through your story and why it was right for your family and child/children. What are the pros and cons of permanent/long term fostering?

“We have had a number of permanent children and each of them are still in touch most with families of their own so we have 17 honorary grandchildren as well. We have a young person with us at the moment who is permanent, he came as an emergency at 4 months old with a lot of complex needs and unfamiliar an adoptive family couldn’t be found. Their loss was our gain he is a wonderful young man and will soon be celebrating his 15th birthday and I can’t describe the joy he has given us over the years. He is still achieving new milestones and making us proud. I won’t lie it is hard work at times but with support it’s doable.”

We would love to encourage more people aged 50+ to foster. Can you share any advice or thoughts if you are 50+. How has fostering changed your life? Pros and cons? Any regrets? What have been the highlights?

“I have always believed fostering is something you either can or can’t do there are no grey areas and you need your own family to be on board with you. Age is not really relevant be you 30 or 60 as long as you have the care and commitment to give a child.”

How do you find the support we give you? Do you have close relationships with other foster carers?

“Support is essential and you need to access it, in Halton the carers call us a fostering family and you can guarantee there will always be a carer you can call on. I run the support group which is very well established and attended by a large group of carers and everyone is welcome to drop in.”

If you are interested in becoming a foster carer, you can request an Information Pack by clicking here >>

Alternatively, why not pop along to one of our Information Sessions? We have in-person Information Sessions and virtual Information Sessions.