South Glos foster carer Mel, shares her story.
“Fostering had always been in the back of my mind. I’ve worked with children for most of my life starting out as a nanny and nursery nurse, then becoming a childminder for five years so I could be at home with my own children. Life took a different turn when I joined Royal Mail, where I worked for 20 years. During that time, our third child, Owen, was born and later diagnosed with autism at age six.
“As Owen grew older and more independent, my husband Mark and I found ourselves experiencing a bit of “empty nest syndrome.” Our eldest, Amy, had moved out with her partner, Liam was 22 and living at home, and Owen was 14. It felt like the right time to revisit the idea of fostering.
“We spoke to our children about it, and they were all incredibly supportive. Owen even said he was happy to give it a try. So, we began our six months of training and that’s where our fostering journey truly began.”
Our first foster child
“Our first foster child was a two-year-old boy who had been described as emotionally closed off, unable to express feelings or interact with others. Within 20 minutes of arriving, he was laughing. We had the joy of caring for him for eight months, and by the time he left to live with his aunt, he was a happy, expressive three-year-old. His nursery staff couldn’t believe the transformation. Saying goodbye was emotional we cried, as we do every time a child moves on but knowing he was thriving made it all worthwhile.”
A new addition to the family
“In November 2022, we welcomed Ivy into our home at just four days old. She quickly became part of our family, and in May 2024, we officially adopted her. She turns three this Thursday, and we all absolutely adore her. Our children love that they’ve gained a little sister through fostering, and Ivy has brought so much joy to all of us.”
Why we love fostering
“Fostering is the most rewarding job we’ve ever had. Watching children arrive scared and timid, then leave confident and happy, is an incredible feeling. We especially cherish the moments when children are able to return to their birth families it’s a sign that healing and progress have taken place.
“We feel so supported by South Gloucestershire Council. The yearly events, coffee mornings, and the chance to meet other foster carers have helped us build a strong network of friends. We’re part of the Mockingbird programme, which has been a fantastic source of support, and our Supervising Social Worker has always been there to answer questions and offer guidance.”
Advice for future foster carers
“We treat every foster child as part of our family, and our wider family embraces them too. Mark still works full-time, but he’s always involved when he’s home, and our children both those living at home and those who’ve moved out are actively engaged with the children we foster.
“Fostering has changed our lives in the best possible way. We truly believe we have the best job in the world.”
Meet Mel and other foster carers like her
Mel will be at our next fostering information evening. Come along and hear her full story, her experiences and ask her questions about what fostering is like. Can’t make this one? We run regular events throughout the year with other foster carers. See our upcoming events.
Ready to start your journey into fostering?
Get in touch today! We’d love to hear from you.
