Children of Foster Carers Week: Fin Shares His Story
- RMBC SupportTeam
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
We spoke to Fin, whose family foster for Fostering Rotherham, as part of Children of Foster Carers Week.
In his own words, Fin shares what it’s like growing up in a fostering family. From helping his foster brother learn to play, to celebrating family milestones together. His story shows the difference children of foster carers make every single day.
Fin finishes his story with an inspiring message encouraging more families to open their homes and hearts to children who need them most.
Read Fin’s story 👇
Hello, my name is Fin and I am 14 years old, my mum and dad are foster carers and have been fostering for just over a year. I am writing this blog for the Children of Foster Carers Week.
I enjoy playing rugby at school and outside of school, I enjoy rock climbing and snowboarding.
I can remember when my first foster brother, H, came to live with us, he was very quiet (until bedtime), shy and didn’t make much eye contact. Now, he is very loud and boisterous, and he talks a lot. I have enjoyed helping him and being a big brother.
My big brother now lives in his own house, so it is nice to have someone to play with and be a big myself.
We have also helped care for a baby, which was nice but not as much fun as H as all she did was eat and sleep.
My family foster’s H long term and we have cared for a baby short term (until she returned to her birth family) and then a few children and babies on a second home basis. We are in touch with the baby who moved to her birth family.
When I get home from school, it is a lot more welcoming as there are more people to see, it isn’t just my mum and dad. It is also more random as I don’t always know who will be home when I get home. We get to see more people than before.
We have also gone on a lot of trips such as Magna, The Tropical Butterfly House and Jump Inc since we have been fostering which have been fun.
When H first came to stay with us, we had to show him that we could be trusted and that we were safe. I helped him learn how to play as he didn’t really know how to play with toys. As a family, we all have different games that we like to play with him. He also did not talk, he just used to make noises, which we didn’t know what they meant, we now do.
I feel very proud of my family for fostering as they have helped the vulnerable children, they have also helped the families of the children they care for.
Our first Christmas with H was a little confusing at first and we had to show him how to open his presents, as soon as he learned that he got a new toy when he opened them, he started to enjoy it. We did space out him opening his presents, so he didn’t get too over stimulated.
We already had a lot of toys in the house for the children in care because my mum used to own a nursery and me and my brother had some toys saved from when we were growing up.
I have talked to my friends about fostering, they think its good and that it is normal for me, all my friends know H and he knows them. When we went ice skating, H went up to my friend Charlie and held his hand to help him skate.
I have learned that the world is very different from what I thought, there are a lot more children that need help. It has broken down a wall and now I know more.
Don’t limit who you are caring for, such as children with a disability, push yourself out of your comfort zone and you will get to learn more. Do it because you can have someone in the house that you are not used to and you can build a relationship with them.
I am now doing my Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award, and want my volunteer hours to help Fostering Rotherham as I would like to make a difference.
Thank you, Fin, for sharing your story with us and for giving such a thoughtful insight into what life is like as a child of foster carers.
Your words remind us just how much love, understanding and support children bring to fostering and how important they are in helping others like H feel safe and welcome.
If Fin’s story has inspired you to think about fostering, we’d love to hear from you. Call our team on 01709 357370 to find out how you could change a child’s life, and your families lives by fostering in Rotherham.
