Who is Meredith?
Grandmother Meredith has been a foster carer for over 10 years in the Rotherham borough. She sees her family regularly, and has expanded that to include the young people that she cares for. Meredith shares her experience of fostering teenagers with us.
How Meredith became a foster carer
Loving grandmother Meredith has always enjoyed looking after her family and cooking hearty meals for her loved ones. However, she found that as her grandchildren grew older, she had more free time on her hands as well as lots of love left to give. It was during a Sunday dinner that Meredith’s granddaughter suggested that Meredith would make a great foster carer. This was not something Meredith had thought about before, and she didn’t know where to start. Meredith didn’t know anyone who fostered.
Meredith’s granddaughter was so convinced that Meredith had what it takes to be a brilliant foster carer that she took it upon herself to arrange a visit from a social worker to discuss fostering with her. This was the start of Meredith’s fostering journey and she hasn’t looked back!
Why foster teenagers?
Meredith has now been fostering for over 10 years and is currently fostering two teenage brothers. Her grandchildren were teenagers when she first started fostering, so fostering teenagers complimented her family well. As Meredith jokes: “I’m too old to be running around after younger children.”
Meredith understands that some people may be unsure about fostering teenagers, however she told us that she really enjoys fostering older children and teens, and that her experience is really positive. Meredith hasn't had any problems with the young people that she’s cared for and has built up strong bonds with the teenagers that she’s fostered. The relationships are so strong that some of the teens continue to pop round for Sunday dinner and a chat even after they’ve left her care.
What has been your fostering highlight?
Meredith has many fostering highlights and was keen to share how well her previous foster children are doing since leaving her care. One former foster child now has her own place and “keeps it lovely and clean”. Meredith has continued to support her with her mental health and told us: “she has come on so much”.
Another foster child “went to college and continued to finish his course after he moved on to independence”. Meredith encouraged him to complete his course so that he could get the job that he wanted, which he has since done!
What is the most rewarding part of fostering teenagers?
Meredith said that when a teenager leaves her care, but stays in touch, it is really rewarding. Meredith loves seeing the progress that the young people are making. She told us that the relationship doesn't end once a young person leaves her home- Meredith enjoys keeping in touch and continues to offer her support once the teenagers and young people have moved on.