A FOSTER dad from Westbury, whose own parents fostered for more than 40 years, is encouraging more people in the area to consider offering a loving home to vulnerable children and young people.
As part of Foster Care Fortnight, which runs from Monday 10th – Sunday 23rd May, Kerry Wilson and his wife Tracy are hoping that by sharing their experiences, they can encourage more people to think about fostering.
Kerry, a former marketing and sales manager, and Tracy, who was a child minder for 10 years, have provided a safe and loving home for five children and young people in their 14 years as carers. They say fostering is something they had always considered because Kerry’s mum and dad fostered more than 30 youngsters, which led the couple to believe they too could have a positive impact on a child or young person’s life.
Kerry said, “Fostering has always been a part of my life. My mum was adopted as a baby and my father was in and out of residential care when he was growing up which motivated them to make the decision to foster.
“For over forty years, my mum and dad provided long-term foster care to four children, cared for another 20 on a short-term, respite basis, adopted five other children and raised myself and my three birth siblings. It was such a full household and I loved being part of an extended family. I’m still in touch with many of my foster and adopted siblings today. I always knew that I’d eventually want to follow in my mum and dad’s footsteps and become a foster carer myself later in life, because I saw how it can help turn a life around.”
In 2007, when the couple’s eldest of three children left the family nest, Kerry and Tracy decided to take the plunge and look into fostering opportunities available. This was when they discovered Five Rivers Child Care, an independent fostering provider and social enterprise, which is headquartered in Salisbury.
Six months later, the couple were approved to become foster carers. Tracy took on the role of being a full-time foster carer while Kerry continued to work in sales and marketing. Speaking about the transition into fostering, Kerry said, “The first year of fostering was a whirlwind for us as a family. You begin to understand that each child and young person needs specific support depending on their experiences.
“Every child we welcome into our family, we treat them like our own, which means supporting them, emotionally and mentally, introducing them to new sports or activities, teaching them new recipes in the kitchen or driving them to family visits. We try to make everyday fun and exciting while ensuring our home is always a safe space.”
After 10 years of fostering part-time, while Tracy fostered full-time, Kerry faced a crossroads in his career and no longer felt the job satisfaction he once had. He became a full-time foster carer alongside Tracy so that the couple could offer even more support for the youngsters already in their care and look to help more children in need.
Today, the couple look after three teenagers. Kerry and Tracy’s foster son, who has been living with the couple since they first started fostering in 2007, and one of their foster daughters, will both live with the family until they are ready to live independently as adults. The couple’s other teenage foster daughter is living with the family on a short-term basis.
Kerry said, “Over the years, we’ve provided a home to a handful of different children and young people. Most of those that become part of our family, live with us for a few years before moving into shared care with their birth parents, and in that time our goal is to provide them with the support and tools they need to grow and at times change for the better.
“Our other children are very close with those in our care, but they do see the one young man we foster as their brother and nothing else because he’s been part of our family for so long.
“What keeps us going? It’s knowing that we are making a difference to a child’s life. It’s knowing that we have been able to give them a chance at starting over.
“To anyone who is thinking about becoming a foster carer, it is important to be resilient, empathetic and have a sense of humour. There will be moments of trial and error, but you can provide an incredible life for someone who needs it.”
Jem Orman, at Five Rivers Child Care, said, “Kerry and Tracy are amazing examples of foster carers who have created a loving and welcoming home for children and youngsters in need. Kerry’s family history of fostering has certainly paved the way for the couple to become inspiring and dedicated foster parents.
“The Coronavirus pandemic hasn’t stopped us recruiting foster carers, as the need for children and young people to have stable and caring foster carers has not diminished. In fact, the number of children and young people across the UK needing foster care has risen dramatically during lockdown and we are really seeing this demand in Wiltshire.
“We’re keen to hear from people from all backgrounds who are nurturing, compassionate and enjoy supporting others, as well as anyone who has questions about fostering and the variety of roles available. We provide training and round the clock support to ensure you can provide the best care to those in need.”
People from all walks of life can be considered to become foster carers as long as they are over 21 years of age. This includes single people, co-habiting people, people from the LGBT+ community and those living in rented accommodation. You will need a spare room for each foster child. A role in foster care offers flexible working and a professional fee. For more information contact Five Rivers Child Care on 01722 626 271 or visit www.five-rivers.org.
