Jo and Martin wanted to give something back. It was important to them to make a difference and provide a child with a loving, safe, and secure home. They are passionate about fostering for their local council, believing strongly in the importance of keeping local children close to their family, school, and friends to make the transition into foster care as smooth as possible with as few changes as possible.

They became foster carers because they wanted to give something back and make a difference by providing a child with a loving, safe and secure home. They are incredibly passionate about fostering for their local council, sharing their beliefs that it is crucial to keep children local, close to their family, school and friends where appropriate. All of these things they same help make the transition into foster carer as smooth as possible and help both the children and their foster carers.

Their advice to anyone thinking about fostering is to embrace the opportuning to make a difference in a young person’s life. They share that every day is different, each young person unique and every day you learn something new, not just about fostering, but about yourselves as well. They say fostering is a truly life changing role, with the feelings of knowing you are helping a young person being immeasurable. To put their time as foster carers into words, Jo describes it as “the best decision Martin and I ever made.”

Jo and Martin share a proud moment from fostering, speaking fondly of an “incredible young man” they fostered at nine years old. Now, at 22, he helps guide, nurture, and mentor their current young people. They say they made a difference in his life, and now he is giving back and making a difference for other young people in foster care. They describe how, “we are proud of the man he is today.” And of their futures as foster carers? Both Jo and Martin hope to continue fostering for as many years as possible, maintaining their roles as Mockingbird Home Hub carers. This model embraces the creation of a family environment, echoing the sentiment “it takes a village to raise a child.”

Fostering has enriched Jo and Martin’s lives and those around them. They’re happy to have made a significant difference for many young people and their families, and they’ve never looked back. They feel proud and blessed to have spent so many years supporting and nurturing countless children. They encourage everyone to take that first step and consider fostering for their Local Authority.

As we wrap up this look into the lives of one of our fostering households, we hope their stories have moved you and shown just how much of a difference they make. Their dedication, kindness, and strength are truly inspiring, and we’re so thankful for everything they do. Stay tuned to meet more of these amazing individuals who make fostering possible. Together, we can support and celebrate the incredible work of our foster carers, making sure every child has the chance to grow up in a loving and caring home.