October marks Black History Month in the United Kingdom, a dedicated time to celebrate the achievements and contributions of the Black community. Black History Month is the annual celebration and commemoration of moments in history, achievements and contributions that Black people have made. For Black History Month we are highlighting the amazing work Black people involved in fostering do.
I think looking after children is everybody’s business, and we should be really sharing the care.
A Bristol City Council Foster Carer
Duniya’s Story
“Duniya” is currently a local council foster carer with Bristol City Council, part of Fostering South West.
Duniya is originally from Somalia and had to leave as a teenager when war broke out. Having experienced what it is like to move to a new country, away from friends and family, Duniya empathised when a relative went into care. Duniya was 26 when she first started fostering and was living in Holland at the time.
Their fostering inspiration
“I had all that experience too, so I could relate to her story. She was 15 when she moved in with us, so just 11 years between us. I realised how she transformed our life. She came in with challenging behaviours because of the experiences she’d had but she really enjoyed living in a family home. The relationship I built with her was absolutely amazing. We used to walk, like very, very long walks from the city, and we’d talk. I used my experience and discussed everything with her, step by step.
“She went to college, she’s got a master’s degree now, her own family. It showed me how beneficial fostering is, how I can change children’s lives.”
Keeping children local
“I believe that Bristolian children should stay in Bristol. If we have enough foster carers here, then they don’t need to move cities. It can damage children emotionally to leave everything behind, move to new cities. It’s going to be a new chapter in their life, the chapter they don’t want to start at all but sometimes they have to because there are no local foster carers available.
Why is fostering important?
“I think looking after children is everybody’s business, and we should be really sharing the care. The job is demanding, but children teach you quite a lot. You learn from them, they learn from you. It’s very rewarding.”
The need for more foster carers from all religious, language and cultural backgrounds
We are incredibly proud of each and every one of our local council foster carers. We look to recruit foster carers from across the south west that are from all religious, language and cultural backgrounds. This is vital for the following reasons:
Representation: Children in care need to see people who look like them and understand their backgrounds. This is crucial for their emotional well-being and development, creating a sense of belonging and identity.
Cultural Understanding: Foster carers that match the child’s religious and cultural background help them maintain connections with their heritage. This is important for the child’s sense of identity, contributing to improved mental health and well-being.
Reducing placement breakdowns: Children placed with foster carers who understand their cultural background are less likely to experience placement breakdowns. This can be disruptive and distressing for the child.
The need for foster carers from all religious, language, and cultural backgrounds is more pressing than ever. By welcoming individuals from varied experiences and perspectives, we can create a nurturing environment that truly reflects the diversity of the children in care. This not only fosters a sense of belonging and identity for the children but also enriches the fostering experience for everyone involved. We invite you to join us in this vital mission, together, we can make a profound difference in the lives of vulnerable children, ensuring they grow up in loving, supportive homes that honour their unique backgrounds.
Interested in starting your fostering journey?
Get in touch with one of our experienced, friendly team to discuss your potential future as a foster carer…