Barry

Barry is a single carer and has been fostering with us for 2 years. He works part time as a welder and care assistant which allows flexibility alongside his fostering role.

He said:

"I had thought about fostering for a long time, I'm a naturally caring person and wanted to do something to make a difference. I looked after my disabled brother for many years and had started the application process, but my brother sadly died so I took some time out before coming back to it when I felt ready.

"Before I enquired, I was worried that I wouldn't be accepted as a single bloke with tattoos who was brought up in a council estate, I thought they would want more middle-class couples. But it was something I really wanted to do so I decided to give it a go, and I found the fostering team to be very accommodating and non-judgmental.
"It doesn't matter about your background, whether you are in a relationship, whether you already have children or not. You just need a big heart and to be able to provide a safe and caring home for a child. You don't need to have a big house; I live in a flat but I did have a spare room for a child.

"I enjoyed the training and learnt a lot. It was tricky fitting it in around work at first, but I managed it, and I am now able to work my hours around the school run.

"I am currently looking a 10-year-old little girl called Mia* and I'm thrilled that she's staying with me in a long-term fostering arrangement as she fits in really well. She's made such good progress since she came here, she even recently won an award for the most improved child of the year.

"Her teachers say they have seen such a positive change in her during the last 6 months as she's been settled in a stable environment. She's had a lot of upheaval in her life and had the responsibility of caring for her younger siblings whilst her mum was sick.

"She had fallen behind at school so it's great to see how she's come on in leaps and bounds, I'm so proud of what she's achieved. She'd never been on holiday before, and we've travelled to Spain, Latvia and France which has been an amazing experience for her.

"Since starting fostering I met my girlfriend, she doesn’t live with us but she gets on well with Mia. She's even considering becoming a foster carer herself as she's enjoyed spending time with Mia so much.

"As a single carer, I'd say it's important to have a good support network of family and friends as I have. My mum and dad help out, and an older family member is currently applying to be a foster carer too as age isn't a barrier.

"To anyone considering fostering, I tell them just to do it, they won't regret it. The difference you will make to a child's life makes every moment worthwhile. Don't think that you won't be accepted if you aren't the stereotypical middle-class couple, if you come from a less privileged working-class background like me, this can be a benefit as you will be able to relate to some of the problems the children may be facing."

*This is a real story, but names have been changed to protect the identity of children.