Donna
As a newly qualified foster carer, I had my first placement on October 10th — and honestly, saying it was a joy doesn’t quite cover it.
Late Friday afternoon, a teenage boy arrived at my door with all his belongings packed into a black bin liner. He was curious, polite, and surprisingly upbeat. He wasted no time checking out his new space and was absolutely thrilled to have his own room — and even more so when he discovered it came with an ensuite. His excitement and genuine gratitude instantly told me we were off to a good start.
Over the weekend, we kept busy. We went to the beach, explored a castle, wandered around the park, and even did a bit of shopping. There was a lot of self-satisfaction in bringing him places and providing things that were evidently lacking for a while. We picked up some new clothes for him and found a proper hold-all so he wouldn’t have to carry things in a bin bag anymore. He was so thankful, and honestly, I think I felt just as happy—if not more—than he did. One of the best bits? Seeing how quickly he clicked with the local kids. He was full of life showing off his brand new FIFA 2026 football and Nike goalie gloves we’d found in JD Sports. Next thing I knew, I was on the sidelines of an impromptu football match… and then somehow in the match, digging out my old trainers and giving it a go. (Let’s just say I won’t be getting scouted anytime soon.)
Our chats were mostly full of laughs, but every so often, there were gentle hints at the tougher things he’s been through. Still, it felt good to give him a calm, comfy place to just relax and be himself for a while.
Mealtimes were unexpectedly entertaining. He had very specific food preferences and wasn’t shy about sharing them — which was both refreshing and hilarious. I now own more varieties of pickles and sauces than any one person should. I’d assumed most kids would want pizza and chips, but this one preferred roast dinners, veg, and pickles galore.
The hardest part? Saying goodbye. He was such a lovely young man, and our time together reminded me exactly why I chose to foster in the first place. Welcoming him into my home — even just for a weekend — felt like a real privilege. And in the end, I think I got just as much out of it as he did… if not more
