Julie and Tony

"Since Tony and I started fostering 20 years ago, we have experienced many ups and downs. But the ups far out way the downs. The children we have supported and welcomed into our family have had some horrendous starts in life. To have been part of changing the outcomes for them is so rewarding and leaves us with a strong sense of purpose and pride, a feeling like no other job we have ever had before. We have a great team supporting us, and although it's changed a great deal over the years, I feel that it is in a good place now.

"Our experiences have ranged from picking up a newborn baby from hospital with a cleft palate and nursing him and his siblings for a year, to looking after children with a wide range of very complex needs from a day old to 19 years of age. We have had to think on our feet and be very flexible in our everyday life. We love seeing the children laughing and making friends, learning to ride a bike and learning to swim, giving them happy experiences and making happy memories for the children to cherish. Our fostering journey has been a learning experience like no other, and we wouldn't change a thing."