Lucy’s journey to fostering
Lucy Owusu-Sekyere, a mother of two and long-time resident of Central Bedfordshire, always felt a deep maternal instinct and desire to care for children. After years of infertility and
becoming a mum at 35, she still felt her parenting journey wasn’t complete. The COVID-19 lockdown was a turning point. Watching news reports about children in unsafe homes during school closures deeply affected her. With her youngest starting school and a spare bedroom available, Lucy felt compelled to act. Over coffee with her husband Kojo, she voiced her decision:
I think I want to foster.
Lucy’s fostering journey began with a simple Google search after watching a news report saying her local area was short of carers, leading her to contact Central Bedfordshire Council. Despite initial nerves, she found the application process thorough but supportive.
“You want it to be thorough,” she said, “because it’s about children.” The training and life story work prompted deep personal reflection, helping Lucy understand her own childhood trauma and how it shaped her empathy and resilience.
Fitting fostering around family life
Initially approved for short-term, emergency, and respite care, Lucy found this flexibility ideal for her young family. Emergency placements, often involving children arriving in distress or crisis, became a space where Lucy thrived. “I’m great in a crisis,” she admitted. “When a child is at their most scared, I want to be the adult who reassures them.” Her ability to connect with children, especially teenagers, stems from her own lived experiences. “There’s nothing you can say that will shock me,” she tells them. “I have a no-judgment clause.”
Her birth children have embraced fostering with empathy and enthusiasm. Her daughter (who is the eldest) forms strong bonds with older children, while her younger son’s playful nature helps younger ones feel at ease. Lucy believes fostering has enriched her children’s lives, teaching them kindness, gratitude, and emotional intelligence.
Lucy’s home has become a safe haven for children from all different backgrounds. Lucy believes that their mixed heritage home of white British and African, can be comforting for some children and it’s not uncommon to be asked to cook traditional dishes that they don’t often have access to with other carers.
One of Lucy’s most memorable moments was supporting a young girl through her prom. Lucy provided respite care and helped organise her special night - makeup, hair, photos, with Kojo becoming chauffeur for the night. “It was like she had that parent moment,” Lucy recalled. “We made her a mocktail and took lots of pictures. It was really special.”
Support from all directions
Lucy’s fostering experience has also led to personal growth. She’s taken time to study, gained qualifications, and become a central figure in the council’s Mockingbird programme, a support network of foster families. “It takes a village [to raise a child]” she said. “Within six months, I’ve seen the huge impact it’s had on all the families, including my own.”
Support from Central Bedfordshire Council has been a cornerstone of Lucy’s journey. From social workers to training teams, she’s felt consistently supported.
No one wants to see you fail, they want you to get it right.
Lucy has even referred friends to the council’s fostering service, praising its community spirit and proactive approach.
“Just make the call”
To those considering fostering, Lucy offers heartfelt advice:
Make the call and ask the questions. There’s no harm in a conversation.
She emphasises that fostering isn’t just about providing a home, it’s about being a safe space, a trusted adult, and a positive influence in a child’s life.
For Lucy, fostering isn’t a job - it’s a calling:
I feel like I’m doing exactly what I should be doing.
Her story is a testament to the power of compassion, resilience, and the difference one person can make in a child’s life.
Interested in becoming a foster carer?
If you’re interested in following Lucy’s lead, make the call today and find out how you can foster with Central Bedfordshire Council.
Telephone: 0300 300 8181
We’re part of Foster East, partnering with other councils in the south east to support foster carers and help children thrive.
Learn more about Foster East