Foster carers can make a genuine difference to children’s lives. Could you be one? Pete and Nicky Cornford started fostering this September.
The Hanwell couple were inspired to start fostering by a talk that was given at church, at the end of last year.
“I felt very challenged by what was said,” Pete (pictured) said. “And that night I said to Nicky that I didn’t want to not do anything about it. I felt like we should get involved.”
The Cornfords, who are both trained teachers, have three children of their own but two of them are at university and the third has just finished university.
“Our children are older and we had two rooms available, so I approached Ealing Council,” added Pete. “The process was very thorough – but that’s reassuring because you would want it to be that way. We were helped all the way through it and it was very friendly. They are very honest, too, and tell you what it is going to be like.
“It was worth doing because you want to feel like you can be there to help local kids in times of difficulty and provide some peace and normality when they are going through a challenging time.
“I always think being a parent is a real privilege and fostering is a wonderful opportunity to make a difference. There are challenges, but anything that is worth doing is challenging.”
Since starting in September, the pair have had two placements and enjoyed them both.
“We play games, go down the park, and have been up and down the canal helping barges to go through the locks; we take them to school. The kids have become part of family life,” said Pete.
“There is an outstanding team at Ealing and they are on-hand to give you help and there is on-going training, so you are not just left on your own.
“I would tell anyone reading this who thinks they might be interested to go on, and give it a go.”
Pete said his church is helping to organise a Christmas party for all the local foster children and their carers. He said: “There is a real community there with the other families. It supports you and you feel part of it.”
Interested in fostering?
- Call freephone 0800 731 6550
- Visit: ealingfosteradopt.co.uk
- Facebook: /ealingfosteradopt
