Lucy Stevens - 24th June 2022
There are many reasons people chose to foster and it may be you are searching your own motivation at the very start of your fostering journey. Motivation is an important factor in successful fostering, and keeping sight of it and true to it is important as you progress along your journey.
People foster for many reasons, but for the most part, people foster because they want to help. Good foster carers do so because they know they can make a difference in the life of a child. What drives them to want to make or be that difference may vary however.
Reasons people chose to foster
- Your own childhood. People will generally fall into one of two camps here. They will either have had difficult times during their own childhood and feel that they are in a position to share what they have learned with others. Or people may have had largely positive experiences which they wish to offer and share with others.
- Faith. Many people are highly motivated to foster if they follow a faith that encourages them to serve and care for others. Many foster carers have a faith and this often creates a thread of motivation throughout their fostering careers, helping them to see things through when they are tough.
- Transferable skills. Lots of foster carers have previously worked or volunteered with children and want to use the skills they have developed to better impact the lives of children. We see many foster carers who are or have been teachers, for example.
- Knowing other foster carers. Several foster carers are inspired by people they have known in their lives who also foster. It may be you were looked after in foster care yourself, or you knew someone as a child who fostered. It may be that a neighbour or colleague inspired you. Knowing someone who fosters is a great encouragement when you are starting out on your journey as they will often give the most accurate picture of what it is like to foster.
Is fostering right for you?
If you’re taking the early steps into fostering, it’s important you ask yourself whether fostering is right for you and your lifestyle. You have so much to offer and it’s important that you understand every part of your skillset will be used as you foster, whether you’re a parent already or not. Some questions to ask yourself around reasons to foster are:
- Can you provide a safe and secure home for a child, including having their own bedroom?
- Are you prepared to undergo training to help you become the best foster carer you can be?
- Do you understand the complexities that come with being a foster carer and the trauma your child or children may have experienced?
- Can you work well with other professionals?
- Can you suspend your own judgment to advocate for the needs of the child?
- Are you resilient? How do you cope in times of stress?
- Do you have a good sense of humour? (this is invaluable!)
We provide full training and support throughout your fostering journey, you can find out more here.
Reasons to foster by our foster carers
We started fostering as a response to the Refugee Crisis. We wanted to do more than donate money and we felt that we had a lot to offer. We have now been fostering for 6 years!
J
As a Christian, I felt called to foster and always keep in mind the call to love others, serve others and to be a parent to the parentless. My faith helps me to keep going when in difficult circumstances and I value the privilege of being able to pray for the children we care for in my quiet times.
A
I had a difficult childhood and was a ruffian in my teen years. I did some stupid stuff and wish I’d had someone to set me on the right path. That’s what got me interested in fostering and 7 years on that’s what keeps me going. I see myself in the children and they see authenticity in me.
M
If you’d like to find out more about fostering, email us at team@easternfosteringservices.com, call us on 01206 299775 or message us on Facebook. We’d love to hear from you!
Eastern Fostering Services - The small agency with a strong family feel
