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A couple from Preston have shared their experience of fostering for over 20 years, describing it as a ‘rewarding and happy’ vocation.
Tony and Julie Hill, who are Lancashire County Council foster carers, are encouraging others to take on the ‘hugely rewarding’ role.
They say they have a ‘strong sense of pride and purpose’.
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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.”
Their experiences have ranged from picking up a newborn baby from a 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.
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She added: “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.”
To be considered as a foster carer you need to be over 21 and living in or close to Lancashire. No formal experience or qualifications are needed, all you need is a spare room and a desire to make a difference in a local child’s life.
A spokesperson for Lancashire County Council said: “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.”
To find out more you can visit their website here.
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