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Over cups of tea, emptying the dishwasher, Top Trumps, a dog walk and a kick-about in the garden, Adam asks Gary and Catherine the kinds of questions people often have when first considering fostering.
Adam Buxton said: “I didn’t really know very much about fostering before I spent time with Gary, Shannon and Catherine. We’ve got 3 children and a dog at home, and the thought of adding another child or more children into our family life blows my mind. What they do, for kids who haven’t asked to be brought into care, amazes me. And Shannon’s reflections as a young person who has helped her parents to foster were just incredible. I’m full of admiration and respect for them and their families.”
Gary, a former logistics manager and now factory worker, his wife and two daughters have been fostering for Suffolk County Council for 12 years. They usually foster children in the short term and have also looked after a young girl with disabilities for a longer time. In response to Adam asking him why they foster, Gary gets emotional and replies tearfully that they do it to give children a childhood.
Catherine, a library book scheme co-ordinator, her husband Sean and their two children have been fostering with Norfolk County Council for six years. They originally planned to foster on a short-term basis but have become long-term foster parents instead. Among Top Trumps and Minecraft sword repairs, Adam asks Catherine why they foster. She gestures around the lounge and replies that they’re giving a child a chance.
Foster Carers like Gary, Catherine and their families give children somewhere they can belong; a safe place where they can grow, learn and as Gary says in the film, have the childhood they deserve.
Cllr Bennett continued: “Here in Suffolk, we need more families to foster with us. We don’t need perfect families; we need families who can provide children in our care with love, patience and a sense of belonging, we would love to hear from families who want to learn more about fostering with Suffolk County Council.”
The 19-minute documentary can be viewed on the Foster East Youtube channel, below:
Research shows that children thrive best in family environments and more foster carers are urgently needed to make this a reality for the classroom of children who come into care in the east of England. To find out more about fostering, visit www.fosterandadopt.suffolk.gov.uk