Foster carers share highlights of 'rewarding, happy' vocation
A couple who have been fostering for more than 20 years have shared their experiences of the 'rewarding and happy' vocation.
Lancashire County Council foster carers Tony and Julie Hill, from Preston, say that they have a 'strong sense of purpose and pride' and are encouraging others to consider taking on the hugely rewarding role.
No formal experience or qualifications are needed to be a foster carer. All you need is a spare room available or plans to have one soon, and a desire to make a difference to a local child's life.
To be considered as a foster carer, you need to be over 21, and living in or close to Lancashire. Applications are welcome from all parts of our diverse Lancashire community. Whatever your age, race, gender, living arrangements or employment status, if you are LGBTQ+, or have a faith - we want to hear from you.
Julie said: "Since Tony and I started fostering 20 years ago, we have experienced many ups and downs but the ups far outweigh the downs.
"We have had to think on our feet and be very flexible in our everyday life. We loved seeing the children laughing and making friends, learning to ride a bike and learning to swim, giving them happy experiences and making happy memories for the children to cherish. Our fostering journey has been a learning experience like no other, and we wouldn't change a thing!
"Our experiences have ranged from picking up a newborn baby from hospital with a cleft palate and nursing him and his siblings for a year, to having many children and permanent siblings with extreme behaviour and a wide range of very complex needs from one day old to 19.
"The service has changed a great deal over the years and we have a great team supporting us.
"Some of the children we have supported and welcomed into our family have had challenging starts in life. To have been part of changing the outcomes for them is so rewarding and leaves us with a strong sense of purpose and pride, a feeling like no other job we have ever had before."
For more information about becoming a foster carer, the events and the support available, visit: www.lancashire.gov.uk/fostering or call 0300 019 0200.