Residents in Greater Manchester are being encouraged to help offer a bridge to a brighter future for children and young people via a local council.
More than just opening your home and heart to a child in need, fostering is a unique opportunity that not only transforms the lives of the children, but also enriches the lives of the carers.
As of March 2024, there were 6,232 children in care in Greater Manchester, 1,961 fostering placements in homes, and 1,358 fostering households.
Unfortunately, however, there was a 36% reduction in the number of in-house fostering applications between March 2023 and 2024.
Mum-of-two Katie has been fostering for five years with Trafford Council.
She said: “I was inspired to start fostering after looking at my two children and thinking how every child deserves a life that we can offer our children, so why not give other children the life they deserve?
“I asked my children and they were so excited to welcome more children into our home. This made my decision even easier.”
‘You will always be learning new skills’
A common myth some believe when they’re considering fostering is that they’re not experienced enough or have the ‘required skills’ to be able to go ahead.
That, however, isn’t the case. Care and compassion are the only skills you need to start your fostering journey – something we all display on a daily basis simply going about our everyday lives.
In Katie’s experience, the support she received throughout the process helped bring out the capabilities she already had within her but hadn’t yet unlocked.
She said: “[The myth] is wrong. You become experienced when you become a foster carer. You are learning every single day, and training is offered to you beforehand and while you’re fostering. You will always be learning new skills.”
It isn’t just Katie or her foster children who have been impacted positively by fostering either – her birth children have gained a different perspective on life too.
She continued: “It has taught my own birth children so much about life and it’s made them become grateful and appreciate everything that little bit more. My children have become so empathetic and are just amazing with the children in our care.”
The ‘everyday ordinary’
It isn’t about big experiences and huge moments – foster carers change lives simply by being there every day.
Every week, Katie’s family, including her foster children, go out every weekend to do an activity together, such as swimming, going to the park, bowling, watching a film at the cinema, or going to a football game.
These simple activities, alongside ordinary tasks, have more of an impact on foster children because they’re able to do them with someone who supports and cares for them by their side.
Katie added: “I always tell my own children and young people that me included would change things about my childhood, but it’s about how we move on from them and I promise them it will only make us stronger.”
‘Do it, please don’t hesitate’
Katie urges those who may be considering fostering to do so as we start a new year.
She said: “Do it, please don’t hesitate. It’s the best thing we have ever done, and the rewards from the children in your care are enough to make anyone want to foster.
“These children deserve a home to call their own and a life full of love and laughter.”
