Voices of Fostering

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Voices of Fostering

National Fostering Group

76 episodes

2 weeks ago

Send us a text In this episode of "Voices of Fostering," Helen sits down with Mandy to explore her remarkable journey as a foster carer. Mandy shares how she found her calling later in life, the challenges and joys of fostering as a single carer, and the deep bonds she’s formed with the young people in her care. Discover how Mandy navigated loss, embraced new beginnings, and created a loving home that extends beyond the age of 18 through the “Staying Put” scheme. Hear her insights on resilien...

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Society & Culture

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Send us a text In this episode of "Voices of Fostering," Helen sits down with Mandy to explore her remarkable journey as a foster carer. Mandy shares how she found her calling later in life, the challenges and joys of fostering as a single carer, and the deep bonds she’s formed with the young people in her care. Discover how Mandy navigated loss, embraced new beginnings, and created a loving home that extends beyond the age of 18 through the “Staying Put” scheme. Hear her insights on resilien...

Show more...

Society & Culture

Episodes (20/76)

Voices of Fostering

Mandy - Beyond 18: How Her Home Became a Lifelong Haven

Send us a text In this episode of "Voices of Fostering," Helen sits down with Mandy to explore her remarkable journey as a foster carer. Mandy shares how she found her calling later in life, the challenges and joys of fostering as a single carer, and the deep bonds she’s formed with the young people in her care. Discover how Mandy navigated loss, embraced new beginnings, and created a loving home that extends beyond the age of 18 through the “Staying Put” scheme. Hear her insights on resilien...

2 weeks ago

20 minutes

Voices of Fostering

Marisol - Finding Family Through Fostering: A Story of Music, Growth, and Love

Send us a text Join us for a heartfelt episode of "Voices of Fostering" as Helen sits down with Marisol, a dedicated foster mum, to discuss the transformative power of music, the challenges and joys of fostering, and the journey of building a family through love and resilience. In this episode, Marisol shares how music has helped her bond with her foster son, the importance of self-care for foster carers, and the life lessons she’s learned along the way. Discover how fostering has brought new...

3 weeks ago

19 minutes

Voices of Fostering

Natalie - Making a Difference: The Realities and Rewards of Fostering Teenagers

Send us a text Join us for a heartfelt episode of "Voices of Fostering" as we sit down with Natalie, a foster carer with over a decade of experience. Natalie opens up about the unique challenges and profound rewards of fostering, from welcoming sibling groups and teenagers into her home to navigating the ups and downs of placement changes and building lifelong bonds. In this candid conversation, Natalie shares how fostering has shaped her family, the importance of flexibility and resilience, ...

1 month ago

22 minutes

Voices of Fostering

Ann - 20 Years as a Fostering Family

Send us a text Step into the heart of fostering with this inspiring episode of "Voices of Fostering." Meet Ann, a dedicated foster carer with over 20 years of experience and more than 90 children welcomed into her home. In this candid conversation, Ann shares how fostering became a family tradition, the joys and challenges of letting go, and the powerful impact fostering has had on her children and grandchildren. You’ll hear how fostering can become a multi-generational legacy, the emotional ...

1 month ago

24 minutes

Voices of Fostering

David & Rachael - Opening Hearts and Homes, an Inspiring Foster Family Journey

Send us a text In this episode of "Voices of Fostering," we welcome back David and Rachael, a remarkable couple who have opened their hearts and home to eight children—three birth children and five foster children. Join us as they share their journey into fostering, the joys and challenges of blending a large family, and the powerful impact fostering has had on their lives. David and Rachael discuss the realities of the assessment process, the emotional experiences of welcoming children in ne...

1 month ago

19 minutes

Voices of Fostering

Serwari - Fostering, Resilience, and Community

Send us a text Join us for a heartfelt episode of "Voices of Fostering" as we welcome back Serwari, a dedicated foster carer with over a decade of experience. In this candid conversation, Serwari shares her journey through the joys and challenges of fostering, the impact of personal loss, and the strength she finds in her community and faith. Discover what it means to open your home and heart to children in need, the emotional stories of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, and how support ...

2 months ago

8 minutes

Voices of Fostering

Robert - From Fostering to Storytelling

Send us a text Discover the creative journey of Robert and his husband David—foster carers, children’s book authors, and illustrators. In this episode of Voices of Fostering, Helen chats with Robert about how their experiences inspired them to write and illustrate children’s books that celebrate diversity, kindness, and the meaning of family. Learn about their creative process, the stories they tell, and why making their books accessible to all children is so important. Whether you’re interes...

2 months ago

10 minutes

Voices of Fostering

Robert - Building Families Through Fostering

Send us a text Join us for this heartfelt episode of Voices of Fostering as Helen sits down with Robert, a dedicated foster carer, to discuss his inspiring journey in fostering. Robert shares how he and his husband began their fostering adventure, the challenges and joys they've experienced, and the importance of keeping an open mind when welcoming children into their home. Discover insights into the assessment process, the realities of respite and long-term placements, and the incredible sup...

2 months ago

27 minutes

Voices of Fostering

Hazel - Guiding New Foster Carers

Send us a text Join us for this inspiring episode of Voices of Fostering as Helen sits down with Hazel, a dedicated Carer Recruitment Officer from National Fostering Group. Hazel shares her personal journey from working in travel to finding her calling in fostering, and offers invaluable insights into the assessment process, the different types of fostering (including parent and child placements), and the impact foster carers make in children's lives. Whether you're considering fostering or s...

3 months ago

18 minutes

Voices of Fostering

Joanne, Oliver and Max: The life of a fostering family

Send us a text Welcome to another heartfelt episode of Voices of Fostering! In this episode, host Helen sits down with Joanne and her sons, Max (16) and Oliver (12), to share their inspiring journey as a fostering family. Discover what it’s really like to open your home to foster children—from the initial decision and assessment process, to welcoming their first placements, and the everyday joys and challenges of family life with five children. Hear directly from Max and Oliver about their ho...

3 months ago

10 minutes

Voices of Fostering

Julie - Empowering Foster Families

Send us a text Welcome to another episode of Voices of Fostering! In this episode, we are joined by Julie, a dedicated team support worker from National Fostering Group. Julie shares insights into her role, which involves organising events for children and providing one-on-one support for fostering families. She also discusses the challenges new foster carers face, the rewarding experiences in her job, and addresses common misconceptions about fostering. Julie's passion for making a dif...

3 months ago

11 minutes

Voices of Fostering

Derek - 29 Kids and Counting

Send us a text Join us in this heartwarming episode of Voices of Fostering as we sit down with Derek, a dedicated foster carer who, along with his wife Carol, has been fostering for nearly 20 years. Derek shares their journey, challenges, and the rewarding moments of fostering 29 children over the years. Discover the motivations behind their commitment, their experiences with various children, and their thoughts on the importance of fostering. Get inspired by their unwavering dedication and t...

3 months ago

13 minutes

Voices of Fostering

Meshak - Inside the National Fostering Group Book Club

Send us a text In this episode of the Voices of Fostering Podcast, host Tim is joined by Meshak, a trainer at the National Fostering Group. Meshak discusses his multifaceted role, which includes developing and delivering training for foster carers and colleagues, with a key focus on empowerment and mental health. The conversation covers the innovative and supportive methods used to train foster carers, including breakout sessions, case studies, and discussions. Meshak also introduces&nb...

4 months ago

18 minutes

Voices of Fostering

Gill - What is the Fostering Panel?

Send us a text In this episode of the Voices of Fostering Podcast, we are joined by Gill, a panel advisor with over 30 years of experience in social work within fostering. Gill delves into her role, explaining the function and importance of the foster care panel in the approval process of foster carers. The discussion provides a comprehensive overview of what prospective foster carers can expect during the panel meeting, including the criteria evaluated, the supportive environment of the pane...

4 months ago

26 minutes

Voices of Fostering

Patrice Lawrence - The Journey of Storytelling

Send us a text In this episode of the Voices of Fostering podcast, we are joined by acclaimed author Patrice Lawrence. Patrice shares her compelling journey to becoming an author, rooted in her experiences of being privately fostered and growing up in a multi-ethnic family. She discusses the influence of fostering on her writing, the challenges of representation in literature, and how books can serve as powerful tools for empathy and understanding. Patrice also highlights her work...

4 months ago

33 minutes

Voices of Fostering

Our special episode with Ashley John-Baptiste

Send us a text In this episode of Voices of Fostering, we sit down with Ashley John-Baptiste–a Cambridge graduate and BBC presenter–to discuss his extraordinary journey from foster care to academic and professional success. Ashley shares deeply personal stories of his experiences growing up in various foster homes, the impact of dedicated foster carers like 'Joyce,' and his transition to adulthood. He also explores the resilience he developed and its application to his career and personal lif...

5 months ago

20 minutes

Voices of Fostering

Valda - Building Positive Foundations

Send us a text In this episode of the Voices of Fostering Podcast, Tim interviews Valda, a dedicated foster carer from London. Valda shares her journey of becoming a foster carer alongside her husband Richard, having started officially in 2016. She discusses the transition from their previous careers, their informal mentoring of children in need, and the challenges and rewards of fostering. Valda also describes handling complex cases involving therapeutic parenting, her accredited train...

5 months ago

18 minutes

Voices of Fostering

Joann - Key Insights from an Assessment Manager

Send us a text In this episode of the Voices of Fostering podcast, host Tim welcomes Joann, a foster carer assessment manager at National Fostering Group. Joann provides a detailed overview of her role and what a typical day looks like, emphasising the variety and the unique challenges of her work. She discusses the essential qualities and experiences of successful foster carers and delves into the specifics of the foster care assessment process. Joann addresses common concerns an...

6 months ago

12 minutes

Voices of Fostering

Serwari - Market Stall to Fostering

Send us a text In this heartwarming episode of Voices of Fostering, we sit down with Serwari, a dedicated foster carer with over 12 years of experience. Serwari shares her incredible journey, from overcoming personal challenges to fostering children from diverse backgrounds, including unaccompanied asylum-seeking children. She discusses her initial apprehensions, valuable support from social workers, and her rewarding experiences of seeing foster children thrive. Serwari also provides i...

6 months ago

12 minutes

Voices of Fostering

Paul - Fostering a Child with Autism

Send us a text In this episode of Voices of Fostering, we chat with Paul, a foster carer who is just over a year into his fostering journey. Paul shares the motivations and inspirations that led him and his wife, Paula, to become foster carers. He discusses the challenges and adjustments they've made in their lives, especially in caring for a young boy with autism. Paul gets candid about the initial apprehensions, the assessment process, and how fostering has become a fulfilling p...

6 months ago

12 minutes