Bilkis

Bilkis has been fostering for around 24 years with her husband Gulum and transferred to foster with Lancashire County Council recently.

She said:

"We came to Lancashire as the payment structure is more transparent and being able to afford to be a foster carer is an important consideration, especially with rising costs. We love fostering so it's not about the money to us, but the allowances help cover the costs and pay for extra things like treats for the kids.

"During our time as foster carers, we've looked after a range of children of different ages with varying needs. We are currently caring for a little girl who is deaf and we are enjoying learning British Sign Language with her and seeing the progress she has made with us in such a short space of time. We also recently cared for a little boy with quite severe developmental delays and a low cognitive age. He couldn't read but we were able to help him recognise words in his favourite books and his mobility was poor but we managed to encourage him to walk and eventually jump in puddles! He was a joy to be around and we saw him happily settled in his new forever home.

"I love seeing the children develop leaps and bounds with our support, helping them with their learning and being able to communicate and socialise with other children. We've found providing routines like regular meal and bed times makes such a difference, they are no longer in survival mode wondering where their next meal is coming from. It can help them be more creative and enjoy trying different things now they don't have to worry about the basics."