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20 Jan 2023 | Meet Our Carers
Ruth is 54 and from Northwich. She has been fostering with her husband for two years.
Why did you become a foster carer?
“To try help children and families in need.”
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your family?
“I have been working as a teaching assistant since 1993. I have mainly worked in EYFS for this time. I am married to John who is 63 and a retired builder. We don’t have any birth children together. It’s just us at home. We love going away in our caravan both in the UK for weekends away and school holidays and then over into Europe for the summer school holiday. We love cycling and walking and John and any little visitors love to go Geocaching. On a Sunday we usually have a roast dinner and invite my 90 year old dad to join us. We have family close by that we enjoy visiting and spending time with too.”
How many children have you fostered and what types of fostering have you done?
“A variety of types including a day care, 2 weeks respite for three children, an emergency 2 night for 2 children. Short term care for 2 boys for five months during lockdown and we currently have a child who has been with us for 9 months on short term care.”
Who lives at home?
“Myself, my husband and a 7 year old foster child at the moment.”
Do you have any advice for anyone thinking of becoming a foster carer or starting the process?
“Go to the initial information session and gather information. We really enjoyed the Skills to Foster course which went into much more depth and if at any time you don’t feel it is for you it’s not too late to change your mind or give it more thought.”
What have been the positives of fostering?
“Making lovely new relationships that have changed our lives and hopefully we have helped them in the process. We hope to keep in contact with some of the children we have had in our care.”
What have been the challenges?
“Lockdown was a challenge as we were new to fostering. I find the children moving on the hardest challenge.”
What changes have you seen in the children you have fostered?
“In the children we have had for a few months we noticed how they gained routine in their lives which made them feel secure. Also an improvement in behaviour when given guidelines that are stuck too as well as improvement in education. Especially the older children’s reading. They have all been happy delightful children who we have bonded with well.”
What small things have made a big impact?
“Routine. Contact with parents (family time). Us having a great social worker who we can rely on and always gets back to us.”
What have been your best memories so far?
“The fun outdoor times and holidays we have with the children. It has brought so many happy memories that we will treasure.”
What impact has fostering had on your family?
“My whole extended family has looked at it as a positive and some of the younger generation are saying they would love to do it in years to come. Again when the children move on it has a sad impact but this has been cushioned by the fact we know that the children are settled and happy. As a foster cater this is very important to know.”
How do you find the support we give you? Do you have close relationships with other foster carers?
“Our social worker is brilliant and I feel that if I ever did need any support it would be there from others too. There are two different fostering families that I would feel comfortable calling on for help and advice if needed.”
If you would like to become a foster carer, please request an information pack and make an enquiry today at www.foster4.co.uk/enquire
Request an information pack to find out more about Fostering & how your Local Authority can help you.
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Foster4 is a collaboration between eight Local Authorities in Cheshire and Merseyside: Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester, Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, St Helens, Warrington and Wirral.
