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In this episode of Voices of Fostering, Helen sits down with Dan — a single male foster carer who was only approved in January of this year.

Dan shares his honest and inspiring journey from a long-term career at a supermarket head office, through redundancy, a moment of clarity on a beach in Weston-super-Mare, and ultimately the decision to become a foster carer with National Fostering Group.

He opens up about:

💡 Why he decided to foster as a single man in his late 30s

📋 Navigating the thorough Form F assessment process

🧒 His first young person — a teenage boy with autism who lost his nan in January

🤝 The importance of building a strong support network

🔮 What the future might look like for him as a carer

Dan's story is proof that there's no single template for a foster carer. Whether you're single or in a couple, male or female, young or older — if you can provide a loving, stable home, fostering could be for you.

If you would like to find out more about fostering please visit our website here.

If you have any questions that you would like to be answered on our next episode email podcast@nfa.co.uk

You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Linkedin and YouTube

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In this episode of Voices of Fostering, Helen sits down with Simon — a foster carer of 11 years — to hear his remarkable story of turning personal experience into a life's purpose.

Simon opens up about growing up in a turbulent household and moving in with his aunt and uncle as a child, and how that experience inspired him to give back to children who need the same stability he once received. Alongside his husband, Simon has been fostering for over a decade — and the very first person in their care, a teenager who had been through 11 carers in 10 years, is still with them today.

In this episode, Simon shares:
🏠 What drew him and his husband to fostering as a same-sex couple
📋 How he found the assessment process and what to expect at panel
💪 The ups, downs, and resilience required on a long-term fostering journey
⚖️ How they balance fostering with maintaining their own careers
🤝 The importance of community, support groups, and stayover care
❤️ Why he believes fostering is his life's mission — and why he can't imagine stopping

Whether you're curious about fostering, just starting your journey, or already part of the fostering community, Simon's story is a powerful reminder that the right home can change a young person's life forever.

If you would like to find out more about fostering please visit our website here.

If you have any questions that you would like to be answered on our next episode email podcast@nfa.co.uk

You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Linkedin and YouTube

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In this episode of Voices of Fostering, Helen is joined by Tammy — a foster carer who turned a COVID lockdown lightbulb moment into a life-changing decision for two young sisters.

Four years on, Tammy shares the honest, heartwarming story of how she and her husband Matthew went from considering adoption to welcoming two long-term foster children into their home. From the nerves of that very first night, to watching a once-mute nine-year-old blossom into a confident, football-playing teenager working towards her black belt in karate — this episode is a powerful reminder of what's possible when children feel safe, loved, and seen.

In this episode, Tammy talks about:
🏡 Growing up with foster carer parents and what it taught her about compassion
🤝 Navigating the matching process and knowing when the fit feels right
🍕 The emotional reality of that first day — carrier bags, pizza, and tears held back
🌱 The incredible transformation she's witnessed in both girls over four years
💼 Why working full time is no barrier to fostering
💻 How one online event with the National Fostering Group started it all

💛 Whether you're curious about fostering or already on your journey, Tammy's story will leave you inspired.

If you would like to find out more about fostering please visit our website here.

If you have any questions that you would like to be answered on our next episode email podcast@nfa.co.uk

You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Linkedin and YouTube

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After losing her husband Keith to cancer, Annette found herself in a home that felt hollow — until she made one phone call that changed everything.

In this episode of Voices of Fostering, Helen sits down with Annette, a brand-new foster carer just three months into her journey. Annette shares how grief led her to fostering, what the assessment process was really like, and how welcoming a 14-year-old into her home has brought joy, laughter, and purpose back into her life.

In this episode:
💔 How Annette found fostering after bereavement
📋 What the assessment and Skills to Foster training involved
🌟 Life three months in — the highs, the challenges, and a holiday on the horizon
👨‍👩‍👧 How Annette's sister's experience as a Special Guardian inspired her
💬 Her message to anyone who feels lost and is considering fostering

Whether you're thinking about fostering or simply need a reminder that it's never too late to open your heart and your home — this episode is for you.

If you would like to find out more about fostering please visit our website here.

If you have any questions that you would like to be answered on our next episode email podcast@nfa.co.uk

You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Linkedin and YouTube

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In this episode of Voices of Fostering, we sit down with Joel - who took the leap into fostering with his husband Jake after 13 years together. Joel shares the honest, emotional, and inspiring story of their journey: from navigating the approval process and welcoming two emergency placements, to taking four children on their first-ever holiday abroad.

We talk about:
💛 What led Joel and his husband Jake to choose fostering over adoption or surrogacy
💙 What the assessment process is really like - and why it's less scary than you think
🌟 The highs of creating lifelong memories for children in care
💔 The heartbreak of a fostering journey ending — and how they got through it
❤️ Why Joel says fostering is "the best thing we ever did"

Whether you're part of the LGBTQ+ community, a couple, or simply someone with love to give — this episode is for you.

If you would like to find out more about fostering please visit our website here.

If you have any questions that you would like to be answered on our next episode email podcast@nfa.co.uk

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What happens when your fostering journey takes an unexpected turn?

In this episode of Voices of Fostering, Helen sits down with Scott — a foster carer with a story of an unexpected journey to tell.

Scott and his then-wife set out to foster a sibling group, got exactly what they hoped for, and were well on their way — until their marriage broke down. Rather than walk away, both chose to continue fostering as solo carers, putting the children's stability first and showing them what an amicable separation can look like.

Now a Stayover (respite) carer, Scott opens up about:

• Why he and his ex-wife chose to start fostering
• Navigating the approval process and what to really expect
• How they handled separation while keeping the children's wellbeing at the centre
• What stayover fostering is and how it fits around a busy, travel-heavy career
• Why he believes there's a type of fostering for everyone

Whether you're curious about fostering or somewhere along your own journey, Scott's story is a powerful reminder that fostering can fit into your life — whatever it looks like.

If you would like to find out more about fostering please visit our website here.

If you have any questions that you would like to be answered on our next episode email podcast@nfa.co.uk

You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Linkedin and YouTube

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In this episode of Voices of Fostering, experienced foster carers Travis and Marisol sit down with Tim Barclay, CEO of National Fostering Group, for an honest conversation about the realities of foster care—from both sides.

Discover how carer feedback shapes decisions at the highest level, why innovations like Magic Notes are transforming supervising social worker visits, and what it's like to advocate for children facing increasingly complex needs.

Travis and Marisol don't hold back—they share what's working, what's challenging, and why resilience and authenticity matter so much in fostering. Tim opens up about staying grounded, the importance of support groups, and how National Fostering Group is fighting for better resources from local authorities and other health services.

Key Topics:
✅ How carer feedback drives real change
✅ The game-changing Magic Notes innovation
✅ Supporting children with complex needs
✅ Navigating local authority challenges
✅ Why foster carer support groups matter
✅ What makes a great supervising social worker relationship
✅ The future of foster care support

Whether you're a foster carer, thinking about fostering, or work in the care sector, this conversation offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how fostering agencies can truly put carers and children first.

If you would like to find out more about fostering please visit our website here.

If you have any questions that you would like to be answered on our next episode email podcast@nfa.co.uk

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Meet Carol and John, a remarkable foster care couple who've dedicated 15 years to transforming young lives—and at 75, they're still going strong.

After finding each other through shared dreams of fostering, this dynamic duo has welcomed dozens of children into their home. Carol, a retired nurse, brings empathy and structure, while John offers warmth and heart—the perfect balance for vulnerable young people.

In this episode, they share their greatest achievement: advocating for a pregnant 15-year-old when authorities planned to take her baby at birth. Their unwavering support helped her keep her son, who's now nearly six.

From full-time placements to providing crucial respite for over 20 children last year, Carol and John prove that fostering enriches lives at any age. Their advice? Just give it a try.

If you would like to find out more about fostering please visit our website here.

If you have any questions that you would like to be answered on our next episode email podcast@nfa.co.uk

You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Linkedin and YouTube