Lisa and James Taylor, both 41, from Audenshaw have shared their joy at being foster parents and say they can’t imagine life being any other way.
They are supporting Tameside Council’s Fostering Recruitment Campaign this Foster Care Fortnight to encourage local people from all backgrounds to care for local children and young people of all ages.
Lisa said: “We’ve been fostering for three and a half years now, we do task-centred fostering and currently look after two young siblings. We’ve looked after 13 children in total.”
The couple say they ‘always wanted a house full of children’ and describe fostering as ‘the best job in the world.’
Lisa and James’s son Archie, 12, always wanted a younger brother or sister.
Lisa had grown up with her mum working as a childminder and ‘was brought up in a house full of children’ which she loved, so the family looked into fostering as a natural next step.
When Archie showed so much excitement at the idea of his family fostering, the couple knew it was the right thing to do.
Before they fostered, both Lisa and James worked full-time during the week, but now fostering has enabled Lisa to give up work and focus on fostering full-time.
She said she has the ‘best job in the world’ and added: “I can’t fault the support on offer, our social worker has been amazing - it’s a really rewarding and fulfilling role.”
To anyone who has considered fostering but is unsure, Lisa says: “I was the same, not knowing what to expect. I would say go and do your research, speak to those already doing it – we get so much joy out of it. It’s amazing.”
To enquire about fostering this Foster Care Fortnight, go to www.tameside.gov.uk/fostering and fill out the online enquiry form or call 0161 342 2342 to chat to a member of the fostering team.
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