Bronagh and Damian from Newry started their fostering journey nearly three years ago and are caring for siblings on a long-term basis. They have grown up children of their own.
“We’d thought about fostering for years – when the kids left home the house felt too quiet and too clean, we missed the hustle and bustle of the every day,” says Bronagh.
“They’re just normal sisters. They enjoy feeding the horses, being out on the trampoline, they’re into their make-up and fight over the hair straighteners! Ultimately though, they’re really good support for each other.
It’s so lovely to have someone who needs you – it gives us a real sense of purpose and you see the world in a different way.
We try and do things together like go for walks and picnics, head out shopping and have movie night on a Saturday.
We can always find reasons not to do something – so I’d encourage anyone who has been thinking about it to go for it. It is the best thing we ever decided to do – they’ve brought so much goodness to our lives. Our whole family have benefited from having them here.
There’s always support at the other end of the phone too so you’re not alone.
What’s important is day to day life – normal and boring life is underestimated and wonderful!” she adds.