Here are success stories from some of our Foster Carers:
We have over 15 years’ experience of caring for looked after children and we can honestly say that it is the most challenging and rewarding experience we’ll ever undertake. We don’t see it as a job, it is a commitment. A commitment to become an extended family and support the children we take in to find their place and purpose in this world. To listen to them, guide them, support them and protect them as best you can, whilst helping them to develop and become confident and independent members of society. While supporting a child you learn lots about yourself in the process as they enhance your life with their presence. Be prepared to be busy, but be prepared to have fun, live, laugh and cry with them. The best thing a Foster Carer can be for any child they look after is ……….be there, just be there for them! Enjoy the experience, there is lots of support and you are not alone!
– Maria T
I came in contact with Aim High Fostering Services at a Summer Fayre a few years back. At the time, it wasn’t the right time for us to foster but the idea was very appealing. Luckily, I kept their details and little did we know how amazing our life will turn out to be 3 years later.
As we experienced hardship in becoming parents second time round, we soon came to realise that perhaps it might be better for us and our 6 year old daughter to help a child in need through the process of fostering instead. Now it was the right time.
Our daughter suffered tremendously when we experienced 2 late miscarriages and even went through bereavement therapy. She was feeling lonely at home and always wanted us to arrange playdates or be put in after school clubs so that she stayed with children longer during the day. The time was right!
We got in contact with Aim High and all the process was clearly explained over a cup of tea. We never felt pressurised to jump into this unknown nor we were given false expectations. I still remember when we attended the Skills to Foster workshop, how unsure my husband felt and we left questioning ourselves if we can do it. However, we went with our gut feeling. Our family needed this journey just as much as the little people out there needing a loving, safe and secure home.
The approval process took a few months. It was very thorough but we felt that we were rediscovering ourselves going through the Form F. I learnt things about my husband that I never knew and vice versa. We became stronger as a couple, as a family. Our daughter was very much involved too and she was excited asking all the time “are we getting a child today?”
Soon after approval, we were assigned a supervising social worker and the referrals kept coming through. We felt very well supported and never pushed to put ourselves forward for a referral that didn’t suit our family. The whole team at Aim High were (and still are) extremely friendly, they listened to our needs and always presented us with referrals that were carefully picked for our family.
We have now had our first placement for 9 months and counting. We welcomed a wonderful little girl, long term placement, and she truly filled up the gap in our family. We are so grateful to be able to love and look after this little girl and our daughter is very, very happy and content. It’s not always an easy ride but it is very rewarding as we are making a huge difference to this little girl’s life.
We have also taken advantage of continued professional development, made new friends, reduced our working hours and we now spend more time with our daughter too. It feels amazing to be able to give something back whilst offering love, warmth and a positive experience of family life to our young person.
– Lory G
