Thomas and Wayne

“We love it. It’s the best thing we’ve ever done.”

Thomas and his partner Wayne, from Cleveleys, started fostering with Lancashire County Council at the height of the pandemic in 2020. Since then, they have cared for 13 children.

Thomas, 31, was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease when he was 13. He had his first kidney transplant at the age of 23 and a second transplant shortly before the couple became foster carers. He now manages his condition through daily dialysis and treatment at home.

Despite the challenges they have faced, Thomas and Wayne, 56, were determined to become foster carers and say it is the best thing they have ever done.

The couple are currently caring for three children: Eva*, who is 21 months old and has lived with them since she was three months old, Tyler*, six, and Wendy*, seven, who has lived with them for the last three years.

Thomas shared their experiences of fostering:

I like seeing the children make progress. Tyler was hardly able to speak when he came to us, but he has been making such good progress ever since.

“My favourite thing is when the children refer to us as home and say, ‘We are home now.’ I think that’s lovely because this is their home.

It can be hard when the children tell you about their experiences or the challenges they have faced. Tyler has recently been diagnosed with a long-term disability, and we’re planning how we can support him to stay with us.”

A typical day for the family involves school, reading together and the usual evening routine.

“It’s the school routine. We get them to school and, when they come home, we read with them. Then it’s tea, bath and bedtime.

It’s just a normal routine really. We’re a normal family and they feel like our children.”

The couple are now in the process of adopting Eva and applying for guardianship of Tyler and Wendy so that they can continue to provide a long-term home for all three children.

Looking back on his fostering journey, Thomas said:

“I’m proud of what I’ve achieved over the last few years. I hope the children we’ve helped look at us and see that, if you try, you can do anything.

Even when I’ve not been too well, they’ve still seen me get up and carry on with normal life.”

His advice to anyone interested in fostering is to give it a try.

“There is a process of checks and of liaising with social workers. They go through your life, your lifestyle and your background, but I didn’t find it too stressful.

It honestly is worth it. I’d recommend giving it a go. Fostering is absolutely the best thing I’ve ever done.”

*This is a real story, but the children’s names have been changed to protect their identities.