Fostering life story

Fostering can make a huge difference to a young person’s life. Ciara was 15 years old when she came into care.  Now in her 20’s, she is an aspirational person having worked hard since being fostered, to achieve many personal successes. She completed a degree at Manchester Metropolitan University and has gone on to study for a Masters in Applied Criminology.

Ciara says; “My home life was very difficult from an early age and when my Mum became involved in a very controlling and abusive relationship, my brothers, sister and I had to go into care. I was eventually cared for by my best friend’s mum after she put herself forward to care for me following an approach by Children Social Care to become a family and friends foster carer. She provided me with the stability and safety I needed in my life.”

Once her friend’s Mum had completed her fostering assessment, Ciara was able to settle in with her new fostering family and feeling safe and secure, she began to blossom.  She goes onto say; “It was not always easy being fostered by the parent of my best friend, particularly as I had come from a very challenging background. I’m very grateful and really appreciate the support my foster family gave me.  The experience made me very determined to make something of my life and I developed a mature outlook from an early age as a result. At 18 years old I moved into my own flat, I learned to drive and studied hard to get my degree and hopefully now a Masters.”

Not content with studying hard, Ciara supports herself with a number of jobs, one of which is at a healthcare campus where she helps on reception and gets rooms ready for care staff who stay on site. Ciara explains, “I would like to use my qualifications to become a forensic scientist, providing scientific evidence for use in courts of law to support criminal and civil investigations. I think for me, being fostered has given me the determination and energy to push myself and not take anything for granted. I love being busy and get a bit restless if I have to sit still for too long!”

Ciara feels that fostering has really given her the opportunity to expand her horizons as she strives to reach her goal of working in the field of forensics. Ciara encourages others to find out more about fostering, particularly teenagers as she knows first-hand what a difference this can make to achieve your goals as an adult; “I think fostering is great! I’d like to foster myself one day and look after several children to provide them with a safe and welcoming home. I’m proof that you can work through adversity when given the right support and encouragement.”

If you are inspired by Ciara’s story and would like to know more about becoming a foster carer click here or telephone 01925 444100.