By Foster Carers, Joyce and Tim
“A year has passed since we shared our fostering journey, and a lot has happened in that time. Looking back, we feel incredibly grateful for the experiences we have had and the young people we have been able to support.“
A happy new chapter for our first young person
“Our first unaccompanied asylum-seeking young person has now moved on from our care, and her story has had a happy ending.
“When she arrived in the UK, she was alone and separated from her family. Over time, she was able to reconnect with her older brother, who had fled their home country five years earlier due to terrorism and conflict. He arrived in the UK with very little and worked hard to build a new life for himself. Today, he is studying Radiography at university.
“We were delighted when our young person was able to move in with her brother. Seeing them reunited after years apart was an emotional and joyful moment for everyone involved. Although she no longer lives with us, we remain in regular contact. We continue to share advice, encouragement and support as she builds her future.”
Welcoming our second young person
“Since then, we have welcomed a second unaccompanied asylum-seeking young person into our home.
“Her story has been very different and, in many ways, deeply tragic. She is suspected to have been a victim of human trafficking and experienced an extremely difficult childhood. She had very limited access to education and arrived with very little English.
“I still remember the day she arrived. She could not say “thank you” in English. Every conversation required the use of Google Translate, and even simple daily interactions could take a long time.
“While waiting for a school placement in Sept, she worked incredibly hard to learn English. She practised every day through ordinary family life, listening, observing and asking questions. Six months later, she can understand around half of our daily conversations without needing translation. Watching her progress has been inspiring.”
Experiencing everyday things for the first time
“One thing that has struck us is how many everyday experiences were completely new to her.
“She had her first McDonald’s meal with us. She ate steak for the first time. She drank coconut water for the first time, despite coming from a country where coconuts are common.
“Many things that our own children see as ordinary parts of life were completely unfamiliar to her.
“These experiences have also been valuable lessons for our birth children. Fostering has helped them understand that many young people around the world grow up without opportunities and comforts that we often take for granted. It has taught them empathy, gratitude and the importance of sharing what we have with others.”
What fostering has taught our family
“Fostering is not only about providing a safe home for a young person. It also changes the foster family.
“Our children have learned that every person has a different story. They have seen first-hand how resilience, determination and kindness can help someone overcome enormous challenges.
“They have learned that things as simple as regular meals, education, family support and safety are privileges that cannot be assumed.”
Why fostering matters
“Over the past year, one thing has become even clearer to us: most people would not leave their home, family and country unless they had no other choice.
“This is especially true for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children. They arrive in the UK alone, often carrying experiences that no child should have to endure. They have left behind parents, siblings, friends and everything familiar to them.
“What they need most is stability, understanding and a place they can call home while they rebuild their lives.
“Fostering these young people is not always easy. It requires patience, flexibility and compassion. But it is also one of the most rewarding things we have ever done.
“Over the past year, we have witnessed remarkable courage and determination. We have seen young people arrive frightened and uncertain, then gradually gain confidence, independence and hope for the future.
“We are proud to have played a small part in their journeys, and we would encourage anyone considering fostering to learn more about the difference it can make.”
Joyce and Tim
Could you foster?
Could you care for an unaccompanied asylum seeking child or young person? Find about more about this specialist role.
