FOR dedicated foster carer Fiona Kingsley the biggest reward of opening her heart and home to foster children is quite simply ‘love’. Fiona’s foster care journey began back in January 2017 and together they have welcomed 25 children into their lives over the past eight years.The local mum of two has shared her family’s inspirational journey in a bid to encourage others to consider fostering and have a positive impact on the lives of children and young people in need. It was back in 2017, after Fiona and her husband had their twin girls, that the couple realised they had ‘much more love to give’ and began the fostering process. Since then, the couple ‘haven’t looked back’ and when asked what they get in return for being foster carers Fiona replied ‘love’. Explaining how her fostering journey began, Fiona said: ““I got involved as a foster carer as I love children. I started out as a nanny, I worked in a day nursery. “We have our own children and my husband and I thought we had much more love to give. We had space in our home and we could fit people into our lives.” Fiona explained they have had nine foster placements to date, with the longest being for a three year period, with a number of respite stays in between. She explained their daughters ‘were very much part’ of their fostering journey saying: “Our twins were six when we started as foster carers and they are now 13. “Our girls are very much part of our fostering journey and they are brilliant with the children that come into our home. They just love them and are a great help to us.” The foster mum acknowledged there were often challenging times: “There is no denying there are hard days but it is very rewarding when you get to the end of the journey with that child.“When they are preparing to go back to their parents and for us there is a sense of ‘we have done everything possible for that child’. The children we have welcomed into our home are treated as our children. They are very much part of our extended family.”For those people who may want to consider becoming foster carers, Fiona recommended they do their research.“I know it’s not for everybody but if you have the space, the capability and the love you will enjoy it,” she said. “We don’t say goodbye when the children go, we always say, see you later.”Fiona added: “For me it is such a rewarding thing to do. The first day a child arrives, of course they are bewildered. The ones who are older, they aren’t used to the house but on the day that they leave they have become part of our family and I believe we have been able to give them the love and support along the way.“We do hope that we have been able to make a positive impact on a child’s life, to give stability into adulthood. Becoming a foster carer is very much giving that child a place of security and safety.”Nuala Hanna, the head of foster for the South Eastern Trust, praised the efforts of Fiona and her family and urged those people keen to learn more about fostering to get in touch. “Fiona and her family do an amazing job providing a safe and secure home to the children in their care. Like so many of our foster carers, they regularly go above and beyond and always prioritise the children’s needs. “If you feel that like Fiona, you could offer a safe and loving foster home where children can develop and thrive, please get in touch as we would love to hear from you.” To find out more about becoming a foster carer contact HSC NI Foster Care on: 0800 0720 137 or visit adoptionandfostercare.hscni.net
