Jim and Donna’s Fostering Journey
Why they chose fostering
Jim explains: “We would’ve liked more children ourselves but unfortunately we couldn’t. We thought: there are lots of kids out there who need support, so let’s give fostering a go.”
The family thought about fostering for many years, but in their old three-bedroom home they didn’t have the essential spare room. When they moved house, they revisited the idea and made the decision together.
“We called the recruitment team and they were brilliant – answering all our questions and reassuring us. Our social worker, Helen, has supported us from the start and is still with us now. She’s spot on – always there when we need her.”
Becoming foster carers
After going through the approval process, Jim and Donna were approved to care for one child.
In May, a primary aged boy joined their family. “He settled in straight away. We prepared party food to welcome him and showed him his new room. He said, ‘I love it!’ He’s laid back and really easy going – we were very lucky to have him as our first child.”
Just a few months later, the boy’s older brother needed a home too.
“We didn’t like the idea of splitting them up. We knew how important it was for them to be together, so he moved in with us in July. Now the brothers share a room.”
Life as a fostering family
Balancing work, school runs, and family contact has been busy, but Jim and Donna feel the positives outweigh the challenges.
“We’ve built a good relationship with the boys’ birth parents, and the aim is for the boys to return to their family if possible. It will be hard when they leave us, but we see ourselves as a stepping stone – keeping them safe until the next chapter of their lives.”
Their own children, Abigail and Daniel, have embraced fostering too. They play with the boys, collect them from school, and enjoy days out together as a family.
Summer holidays have been filled with fun - including trips to Devon, Blackpool Air Show, Clip’n’Climb – making countless memories. “You’d think they were part of the family – they’ve just slotted right in.”
Being part of a Mockingbird constellation
Jim and Donna are also part of Cumbria’s first Mockingbird constellation, a supportive network of fostering families.
“It’s been great. Our hub home carers, Alex and Ian, are so experienced and always full of good advice. The boys love meeting other foster families – it helps them realise they’re not alone, and that other children share their experience.”
A personal connection
Jim himself spent a short time in care as a child. “When my mum became ill and had to go into hospital, me and my siblings went into care for two weeks. I know how it feels, and I can reassure the boys from experience: step by step, day by day, you can reach your goals – I believe in you.”
Advice to others
Jim’s message to anyone considering fostering is clear: “Go ahead. Go to an information event, check it all out. Both boys are such loving, caring kids and they deserve a chance. We wish we’d done it when we were younger, so we could’ve helped even more children out.”
✅ Jim and Donna’s story shows how fostering changes lives – not only for the children who need love and stability, but also for the families who welcome them in.