Foster Care Stories
Tom’s story
“The lovely trips throughout the year and support in our adventures through our childhoods was an amazing support package to all of us.”
After going into care at 11-years-old, Tom, now 30, went to live with Team Fostering foster carer Helen in the North East when he was 13.
Having experienced life in care with other fostering agencies, Tom describes his time with Helen and Team Fostering as his first stable home.
Tom explains: “I joined Team Fostering just before starting year nine in secondary school, moving in with the incredible Helen and the lovely Neil.
“They welcomed me with open arms and gave me the space to blossom into the fabulous gay man I am today.”
Joining the Team Fostering family
At Team Fostering, Tom felt like part of a wider family – having the opportunities to voice his opinions on things that mattered to him and enjoying activities and holidays with other children.
He said: “Team Fostering supported everything I did and made sure our voices were heard. I was one of the founding members of kids doing sessions to air our opinions and we were listened to. We talked about day-to-day things about what it was like being in foster care and they took that information and made our lives better.
“The lovely trips throughout the year and support in our adventures through our childhoods was an amazing support package to all of us.”
Building memories with my foster carer
Life with his foster carers Helen and Neil was filled with memories he wouldn’t have otherwise had the opportunity to make.
Tom said: “Helen and Neil always made sure I had the best memories made. I listened to Kpop and studied Chinese language at A-Level. Therefore Helen just had to take me to Hong Kong to make sure I knew what I was getting myself into before moving to Shanghai at 18 years old.
“She’s made sure every step of the way that I’m ok, from being with her to being a 30-year-old in 2025. Helen laid the foundation of me being an adult.
“She’s just the best person ever. She basically is my mum. When I get married she’ll be walking me down the aisle.”
Support for a life after foster care
As a not-for-profit fostering agency, Team Fostering provides children and young people with access to two memorial funds, created in memory of members of staff who are sadly no longer here. They help to pay towards experiences which prepare young people for the future, such as driving lessons or post school study opportunities.
These funds were able to contribute towards Tom’s move to Shanghai to study Chinese language at university.
Tom’s foster carer Helen said: “One of my biggest memories of Tom is driving him to Heathrow airport to wave him off to study at University in Shanghai, remembering the boy who arrived with low self-esteem and having never been abroad.
He continues to amaze us with his work ethic & kindness. He’s quirky, gregarious and totally fabulous. We’re proud to count him as family.”
Could you be a foster carer with Team Fostering and give a young person access to amazing opportunities which can change their life? Get in touch about becoming a foster carer with Team Fostering on 0800 292 2003 or submit an online enquiry below.