“The children keep you young,” says Runcorn foster carer Angela

Angela is 50 and from Runcorn, she has been a foster carer with Halton Borough Council for 19 years.

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

“Myself and my late husband saw an advert for foster carers in the local paper. We wanted to help young people in our borough.”

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)

“I gave my job up to foster full time, I do not have any birth children of my own, I like to go for walks and days out and eat out and do activities with the children we care for. I am close friends with another carer we go on days out and holidays together with all the young people in our care.”

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.

“Our first placement was 2 brothers aged 5 & 7. It was important to us that we could provide a home were they could grow up together. The eldest is now 26 and he’s still with me, his brother is 24 and lives independently however I support him.”

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?

“Long term fostering was what we wanted to do as we thought we could make a difference, however alongside the permanence of the lads we also fostered 0-2s that either return home or go on to adoptive placements.”

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 was only 31 when I started my fostering journey now I’m 50. Kids keep you young and fostering is in my DNA, I love to see the children thrive. In Halton we are a fostering family of closely connected foster carers as we are only a small borough. The highlights have been; one of my boys being made head boy in high school, both boys going to college and passing their exams, I’m proud of my radio interviews promoting fostering Radio 2 and radio 5 live.”

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

“I’m vice chair of our foster carer support group and vice chair of our charity another chance to care. My best friend Sharon is a Halton foster carer, we go on holidays together with all the children & support each other. We are a close network of foster carers in Halton as we are a small borough. Myself & Sharon help our council with the recruitment of new carers and the fostering service in Halton has always been supportive.”

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.