Geraldine from Banbridge is a single foster carer and began her fostering journey around 20 years ago.
She has been caring for a 16 year old for the last 10 years and also looks after a 9 year old child for the last 2 years. She has 3 grown up children of her own who are living independently.
“My neighbour was a foster carer and she used to bring the foster child she cared for round to play with my daughter. I just love what I do – I need to be needed! I’d be lost without them,” she says.
Assessment process
“The assessment process was detailed, there’s no doubt but I understood why it needed to be so thorough. I’ve actually been part of the fostering panel for the last 8 years and see new foster carers get approved. The assessment and skills to foster training made you look at your life, I found it interesting. I still try and get to training – there’s always something new to learn.
Foster care is about helping children and young people but I also get so much out of it – it is so rewarding. When they give me a hug it means so much to me. They become just part of your family. Not a day goes by that I don’t have a good laugh with the girls – they bring so much joy to me,” she says.