How I Got Here: Geraldine Roseberry, foster carer

How the seed was sown

I was born in Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland. I came from a large family; I am the second youngest of eight. Now, living in Redbridge, London, I am a foster parent who has looked after around 100 children since starting fostering. Next year, I will have been a foster carer for 25 wonderful years.

My fostering journey started when my daughter was three years old. I took my daughter to a dance class in Barkingside, where I got talking to another parent only to find out that she was a house mother for Barnardo’s. A little girl in the class was one of her house children who loved to dance. My first thought was of how amazing it was to foster, and how I would love to do something like that someday. This is where the seed was sown.

Changing situation

A few years later, my daughter and I were at Ilford town show where they had a tent that advertised voluntary services, and that was when I came across fostering for Redbridge. A social worker told me a lot about fostering, but at the time I did not have enough room for another child. The social worker asked if she could contact me now and again to see whether my situation had changed.

Nine years later, I received a phone call from the same social worker who asked if I would like to attend an information evening for fostering. Since my situation had changed, I said “yes”. From this point on, our fostering journey began. There followed months of training and weekly visits from the social worker to make sure that we, as a family, were mentally equipped to start the next phase.

Resolving issues

I was approved in January 1999, and in April I was allocated my first young person who was 12 years old. Being a foster carer did come with its challenges, since every child is so different, but like any family, we resolved issues that arose through family meetings, which a child could call at any time if they had a problem they wanted to discuss.

Despite the challenges – of which there have been many – I have found fostering to be a very rewarding experience, which is why I have been doing it for 24 years and continue to do so. Whether the child has stayed with me on a short-term or long-term basis, or as a more flexible arrangement, I have thoroughly enjoyed welcoming each young person into my home.

Support network crucial

Over the years my family has extended tremendously as my young people have grown and had families of their own, some of whom I have been given the privilege of being “Nan” to, since some of the children have never left me. Although every child has their own family, they also become part of my own, and many still visit frequently and on special occasions.

I found that the support network you get as a foster carer for Redbridge Council is exceptional. All training is provided, and foster carers are allocated their own social workers. There is also a supportive chat on WhatsApp, alongside a buddy system where new foster carers are paired with experienced foster carers who share their experiences.

If someone is considering being a foster carer, all they would need is to be kind, caring and a good listener. A child will change over time with your help, guidance and patience.

Top three career tips

1. Let your foster children know that it’s okay to make mistakes
   
   

2. Give the child the chance to choose small things for the household, for example picking out their toothpaste, the colour of towels, pyjamas or dressing gowns
   
   

3. Listen and listen again. They are unsure and scared, so make sure they know that you are there to guide them