Ronnie was just six years old when his family started fostering. Now nine, he’s grown into a kind, thoughtful and generous young person who has embraced fostering in a way that’s truly inspiring.
His foster brother, who we’ll call Fred, has lived with the family for nearly two and a half years. Despite being four years older than Ronnie, the two have built a strong bond, sharing games, laughs and everyday life.
We asked Ronnie what fostering has been like for him, and how it’s changed things at home.
“When my mum and dad first said about fostering, I can’t remember what I thought. It was three years ago so a long time ago now.”
Like many siblings, Ronnie and Fred had to learn how to share, especially when it came to the Xbox.
“At first it felt a bit strange… we only had one Xbox and we both wanted to play different games. It was my Xbox and I wasn’t used to sharing it.”
Thankfully, a second Xbox gifted by a family friend helped smooth things over, and now the boys enjoy playing Roblox together, a shared hobby that’s brought them even closer.
Ronnie is honest about the ups and downs of fostering. He says Fred sometimes gets cross and might shout at their mum, which can be annoying and sometimes even a bit funny.
“What I really like is that you have somebody else to play with… most of the time if I want to play, he does too.”
Fred is now in secondary school and often shares his creative talents with Ronnie. He once made a robot in Design Technology and gave it to Ronnie, and his drawings are proudly displayed on the fridge.
“We chat together a lot and I like having him to chat to when we are out in the car. I can trust him and he’s a good friend.”
Ronnie’s story shows how fostering can positively impact children of foster carers, helping them build empathy, resilience and strong relationships. When asked what advice he’d give to another child whose family is about to start fostering, Ronnie said:
“If someone starts fostering, the child will be a stranger until you get to know them. That can feel a bit funny at first, but when you get to know them, they might turn out to be like a brother.”
Ronnie’s journey is a powerful reminder that fostering doesn’t just change the life of the child coming into care, it can enrich the lives of everyone in the household.
Thinking about fostering?
Fostering is one of the most powerful ways you can make a difference, not just for a child in care, but for your whole family. If you’ve ever considered fostering, now is a great time to take the first step.
📞 Call us on 01454 866423
📧 Email us at foster@southglos.gov.uk
🌐 Or contact us online
