Barry

"The best thing for me about fostering is watching Mia feel safe and start enjoying life."

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 just want 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.

"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.

"The matching service provided by the fostering team was helpful and I am currently looking a 11-year-old girl called Mia*. I'm thrilled that she's staying with me in a long-term fostering arrangement as she fits in really well, she's ace.

"The best thing for me about fostering is watching Mia feel safe and start enjoying life.

There are many special memories and events we have shared together but it's the simple things that make me proud, like learning to tie her shoelaces and tell the time, watching her in a play and she was brilliant in a young voices concert.

"Mia was falling behind at school so it's great to see how she's come on in leaps and bounds. She'd never been on holiday before, and we've travelled to Spain, Latvia and France which has been an amazing experience for her.

"As a single carer, I'd say it's important to have a good support network of family and friends as I have. 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.

"To anyone thinking about 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. It doesn't matter about your background, whether you are in a relationship, whether you already have children or not. 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.