Carers Stories
Stories from Foster Children, Carers & Families
Iman
Five Rivers Fostering Foster Child
Voices from Care, Ripples of Change
National Care Day: This Care Day, 21st February 2025 we celebrate the voices of care-experienced individuals—because every story has the power to create ripples of change.
Meet Iman, who entered foster care at 10 years old and is now pursuing a master’s degree in social work. Through the love and support of her foster family, she discovered her strength, passion, and purpose.
Jean Claude
Five Rivers Fostering Foster Child
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Five Rivers Fostering directors, management, and staff for my placement in Donegal.When I arrived in Ireland 3 years ago I was frightened. Five Rivers Fostering gave me the opportunity at a new life for myself and my new home for the next few years was in Donegal, which are 3 years I will cherish. Over the course of the 3 years I matured greatly and developed self confidence which I did not have before. I was welcomed with open arms.
I enjoyed school in the Abbey Vocational School and was encouraged in my education at all times by my foster carers.
K.O’G
Five Rivers Fostering Foster Child
Amy has helped me so much since first meeting her in November 2016. She has been nothing but supportive. She has helped me with my leaving certificate exams and college course enrolment ensuring the right supports were put in place for me.
Amy has also been a great friend and I have felt comfortable with her since the beginning. Anytime that we meet she always makes sure that I know what I am entitled to in regards support and that I feel supported enough. We have filled out many forms/applications, gone to many meetings and overall working with Amy has been more than a pleasure.
M.F
Five Rivers Fostering Foster Child
When I arrived in Ireland 3 years ago I was frightened. Five Rivers Fostering gave me the opportunity at a new life for myself and my new home for the next few years was in Donegal, which are 3 years I will cherish. Over the course of the 3 years I matured greatly and developed self confidence which I did not have before. I was welcomed with open arms.
D.L
Young Member of a Fostering Family
I’ve really enjoyed the last 7 years of fostering. The experience has been really enjoyable but it can have challenges along the way. But the majority of it has been great it has really opened my eyes on different aspects on peoples life’s and how great it is to support the foster kids. Due to fostering I chose to study community youth and development in college to help troubled kids that need help.
M.S & L.S
Two Sisters From a Foster Family
Since my family started fostering with Five Rivers Fostering 2 & 1/2 years ago, it has become a very big, but normal part of my everyday life. I feel good that my family foster because it makes me feel like a better person helping others less fortunate than us, it has also brought me closer to my family. Since we started fostering, we have had lots of children from different backgrounds come to stay with us, some have stayed with us for a short time, others for longer and some children come to stay with us regularly on respite.
D & S.P
Five Rivers Fostering Carer
When we first started our journey with Five Rivers Fostering, little did we know the wonderful family we were about to gain, with all the fun and acceptance which that entails…
M.M
Five Rivers Fostering Carer
Bringing children in to your home, helping them and seeing them change in front of your eyes is so rewarding! Knowing that what you do is helping the children and their families…
N.C
Five Rivers Fostering Carer
Our initial assessment and training took place over a six month period and involved regular meetings with our link social worker from Five Rivers Fostering…
Imelda
Five Rivers Fostering Carer
The help and support offered by all the staff in Five Rivers Fostering, has always been phenomenal. Not only are the children in care looked after but us as carers too.
Laura & Martin
Five Rivers Fostering Carer
During our time fostering we have definitely grown as people. Our whole family’s way of life has changed for the better.
Claire & Joe
Five Rivers Fostering Carer
It is probably the most rewarding career I have ever had. Their littlest achievement are our biggest rewards.
Eleanor & George
Five Rivers Fostering Carer
We would say it is the most rewarding yet challenging thing you will ever do.
Sandra & Millie
Five Rivers Fostering Carer
Our advice would be to just go for it, trust the process, there is great support from Five Rivers and embrace it.
Fran
Five Rivers Fostering Carer
For anyone single looking to foster I would advise them to go with Five Rivers Fostering due to the support you will get.
Carol & Gerry
Five Rivers Fostering Carer
As a family, our lives have been hugely enriched by our experiences and we have been supported greatly by our children, who initially were worried that we were too old!
C.B
Five Rivers Fostering Carer
I found the assessment very thorough but my assessing social worker told me it would be! I found that a lot of questions were asked and at the time I did not know why…
J.H
Five Rivers Fostering Carer
I’ve been a foster carer with Five Rivers Fostering for five years. During this time we’ve had many children stay with us, both long and short term. It’s hard to describe the feeling…
Kwala & Isaac
Five Rivers Fostering Carer
Becoming a foster carer is one of the most rewarding and emotional journeys a person can take. It’s a path filled with love, challenges, and life-changing moments.
Anne Williams
Five Rivers Fostering Carer
Recently retired, I have been fostering with Five Rivers since 2019, primarily E.P.S.(Emergency Placement) and also some limited respite placements.
Donna
Five Rivers Fostering Carer
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.
Lesley
Five Rivers Fostering Carer
If you want to give something back, do something amazing, give some little kids a fabulous weekend or longer – chat to Five Rivers. You won’t regret it. We plan to foster for many more years.
