Holly and Gary’s fostering journey

Two of our wonderful Foster Carers, Holly and Gary, share their experience of fostering with West Sussex County Council

“We’ve became approved foster carers in 2020, and since then we’ve looked after several children. Some have gone back to their birth families, some for adoption and for two, they became our forever children. Right now, we have two girls who have joined our two boys. Every day is different from the last, you never know what’s going to happen or for how long the children will be with us. But we welcome every new child with the mindset of ‘we’re going to give this little person the best childhood they could possibly have whilst they’re with us’.”

“Our three-bedroom home got quickly outgrown with the permanent arrival of our two boys. Without realising it, this backed us into a corner where we could only realistically look after newborn babies due to having no spare bedrooms. At an event we had a chance conversation with a Councillor who planted the seed of the Carers’ Adaptation Fund. We got researching, spoke to our SSW, and after some consideration we decided to put our case forward for funding. We’re in a unique position in that we both are committed to fostering, so we felt we offered great value for money in terms of the impact funding could have on the children who need a safe and loving home.”

“The process was a lengthy one. At first, we had to present our case to the team responsible for granting funding. We spent time reflecting on our dedication to fostering, our track record with children and families, our engagement within the community and what the funding would unlock in terms of what we can deliver as long-term foster carers.

Alongside that, we spoke with an architect and started to explore what an extension might look like and how we can maximise our space. When we were happy with what we wanted to create, we presented it to planning. We did this early because we felt that we wanted to know if it would be approved/declined prior to receiving any funding. Fortunately, it was approved and not long afterwards, our funding application was officially approved, which meant our builders could be appointed and get the work underway.

From first finding out about the Carers’ Adaptation Fund to completion, and being able to offer a space to more children, took around two and a half years. The build itself, when it was started, brought lots of excitement, the children loved it and spent many mornings eating breakfast in the garden playhouse watching the builders work. They even got to drive a digger, which was very special. The disruption, loss of garden, and constant noise didn’t really phase the children. They were just really excited to see what was happening next.”

“The extra space we now have has been a revelation. Downstairs we now have a large living space, with a similar footprint to the whole of the rest of our house. This has been split into two spaces, one being a quiet lounge area with TV, sofa, etc. The other half is a dedicated playroom with every toy you could imagine, dress up outfits, and much more. We spend most of our time in this space and can’t really remember not having it! Upstairs, we have three new bedrooms, one with an ensuite, and a new family bathroom.

Such is the nature of fostering, our new bedrooms were taken before the building work had been completed! We could never have taken the two new children in our old home, so from the earliest stage possible the Carers’ Adaptation Fund has proven to be a very clever use of funds that benefits all parties.”

“Moving from two boys up to four children, two being girls, has been a rollercoaster! We’ve both become peacekeepers, therapists, playmates, hairdressers, and more. We’ve definitely had our time thinned out, but it’s just meant a little adaptation, and rethinking how we do things.

The children all get along so well, and watching them adjust and adapt to a new family dynamic has been great. Although it feels normal to us, we ask a lot from the children in our house but they all get on so well, and if you could be a fly on the wall for 24 hours, I don’t think you’d see us as any different to a typical non fostering family. Our house is so big and busy that it’s lovely for each of the children to have their own little unique space that they know they can retreat to if it gets too much.

Since we started fostering, we’ve been deeply in love with helping the children and being part of the community. We feel so thankful and privileged to have been acknowledged and supported in the way we have. Our little dream has now come true, and to be able to bring children home into our space and give them what they deserve feels pretty amazing.”