“If I can do it, anyone can!”: Why not foster like Julie?
For some people, fostering feels out of reach. Maybe they’re worried about their relationship status, their home environment, age or finances. Julie, a devoted foster carer from Noctorum, is here to debunk all of that.
Julie is widowed, she’s 58. She has had four children of her own and over the last 27 years she has fostered more than 20 children – whom she loves and supports as she does her biological children. She is currently living with six foster children aged 11 months to 15 years.
Julie said:
I’ve met loads of people who think they couldn’t be a foster carer because of the way they look or talk but it’s just not true.
Over the years I’ve been invited to give talks and encourage others to take the leap. One time I turned up with my hair in a scruffy bun, in my gym stuff and my sliders – only to find out I was going to be on camera!
But you know what, in the end I was glad because that’s me at my most comfortable, that’s me being the real me. And that’s all you have to be to be a foster carer, be yourself.
Julie has changed the lives of many children through her unwavering love and support. She says that’s crucial to being a foster carer.
Julie said:
It’s not about where you’re from, it’s about what you bring to the table.
How would you treat a child of your own? That’s how you should treat a foster child.
Many foster children do return to their biological families, but some don’t. I consider myself lucky that I’ve had a lot of long-term placements with children who’ve basically grown up with me – I’ve had the privilege of helping to shape them into young adults and adults.
One of my lads has been with me since he was a teenager – he’s 32 now and still lives with me. Some of the others moved out when they were 18, but still visit me multiple times a week. We have that bond. It’s like that with a lot of my children.
We go on holidays together, bowling, cinema, we hold street parties and bring everyone together. I love it, it gives me a lot of joy. It’s also the difference you make in a child’s life – that’s the real reward.
After so many years of devotion to supporting young people through fostering, Julie will be honoured with a British Empire Medal later this year. The medal is awarded to those who have contributed a very ‘hands-on’ service to the community in their local area.
She will be presented with the honour in Liverpool before being invited to a garden party at Buckingham Palace.
Julie said:
I was shocked when I found out about it, and it is an honour, but I don’t do this to be recognised for it. I do it because it’s in me. I never dreamed of getting a medal. But the kids are ecstatic, they’re all made up for me. They all want to come down to the palace - but we’d need a coach to get us there!
I don’t know what I’m going to wear to the Palace – I’d love to wear my comfies but I may dress up…
After reading Julie’s story, do you think you could be a foster carer? Want to learn more? Get in touch.
Wirral Council is part of Foster4, a collaborative fostering recruitment hub in the Northwest.
If you’d like to find out more about fostering, visit the Foster4 website.
