Jacob, age 7, awarded “Most Thoughtful”

Jacob, 7 lives with his mum Karen in Runcorn, they have been a fostering family for 2 years. Jacob has won Foster4’s Sons and Daughters, Most Thoughtful Award for being kind and helpful to other children.

Karen is a foster carer and she tells us what made her nominate Jacob for a Sons and Daughters award.

Why do they deserve to win a Sons and Daughters award?

“Jacob has been very thoughtful to the two foster siblings we have, he has shared his toys with them, he will help them if they are reading or doing spellings. He has shown them how to be kind to each other, explained why we don’t invite strangers to our home, the boys did this often when they first arrived, he has helped the children in everyday things, like how it’s good to be outside playing, going for walks.”

How do they help the children you care for?

“Jacob helps them a lot when one won’t share he will tell them it’s nice to share. He will sit with them when upset after contact.”

If you had to describe them in three words, what would you say?

“Kind, thoughtful, positive”

What are the challenges they have faced?

“Going from just being myself and him to sharing me with foster children”

What have been the positives of fostering for your whole family?

“We have all enjoyed being together, we got the boys from never wanting to walk to walking up Moel Famau that was a big thing for the boys. We have lots of laughs together now.”

What changes have you seen in the children you have fostered? And what part did your birth child play in this?

“They have become more outgoing, will play, learnt to ride a bike, speech from the youngest has gone from not saying anything you could understand to 90% understandable, always let younger try to talk on his own, his brother always talked for him, kept showing older sibling how to ride his bike, encouraged him when he said he couldn’t do it.”

What small things they have done that have made a big impact?

“Just sharing with the boys”

Foster4 recognise the importance of celebrating the contribution children of foster carers make in the success of fostering. Jacob received a certificate and £25 amazon voucher from Foster4 to recognise the vital contribution he makes to fostering.