Meet Lyn

When Lyn and her husband Steve first considered fostering 15 years ago, their own children were still young, and life was busy. They decided to wait until the time was right. Fast forward to last year: with two grown-up children living independently and only their youngest son at home, Steve asked Lyn if fostering was still on her mind. With spare bedrooms and a desire to make a difference, they contacted us and began their fostering journey.

Starting the process

The couple’s initial contact led to a home visit from the Fostering team to discuss their motivations and suitability. From there, the process took around nine months. Lyn recalls the assessment as thorough but supportive:

Our assessor was brilliant. She felt like part of the family by the time she finished. It’s comprehensive, but I understand why - they need to know everything.

Although revisiting past life experiences was challenging, Lyn saw the value:

Having life experience helps. Some children have been through tough times, and if you’ve faced challenges yourself, you can relate and support them better.

Why Steve and Lyn chose emergency and respite care

Initially unsure which type of fostering to pursue, Lyn and Steve opted for emergency and respite care to fit around their family’s lifestyle. Their teenage son is very active in sports, and Lyn wanted to ensure fairness for any child placed with them.

We said we’d never say never to long-term care, but for now, emergency and respite works. It fits around our jobs and family life.

In just 6 months, they’ve welcomed around 15 children, sometimes siblings, ranging from 18 months to 17 years old. The longest stay so far has been 3 weeks.

Family involvement and positive impact

Lyn’s family embraced fostering wholeheartedly. Her 15-year-old son has bonded well with the children, even forming friendships that have helped others make positive changes.

One boy told us he now knows what having normal friends feels like. His family said they’ve seen a massive difference in him since staying with us.

Even Lyn’s grandchildren ask after the children when they leave, showing how fostering can positively impact the whole family.

Support from us

We provided strong support throughout the process and beyond. Lyn highlights regular contact with social workers, training opportunities, and inclusion in initiatives like the Mockingbird programme, which creates a supportive network for foster families.

There’s always someone to talk to. We’ve had challenging moments, but the team is there daily if needed.

Financial support includes weekly payments and allowances for the child’s needs, plus mileage reimbursement for school runs.

Why foster?

For Lyn, fostering hasn’t dramatically changed her life, but it has added meaning.

Her advice to anyone considering fostering:

If you’re thinking about it, do it. You’re thinking about it for a reason. There’s a massive shortage of foster carers, and these children need everyone.

Interested in becoming a foster carer?

Request an information pack

Telephone: 0300 300 8181