Sandra has made a difference to lives of many children and young people since joining TACT in 2004, and has also provided Parent & Child foster care. She was nominated as a finalist in the 2026 National Children and Young People Awards.

22 years ago, I had a supervision session with my manager, and during that supervision, she suggested to me that she thought I would be good as a foster carer, because I was always supportive of others, and at the time she had never known a single parent to get three kids under the age of seven in bed by 7.30pm!

The most rewarding part of my fostering journey has been seeing the young people and young mothers leave my home with their babies and go on to thrive in the community.

One of my special memories was being by the side of a foster child whom I had cared for over 10 years and ringing the cancer-free bell at the Royal Marsden Hospital. He is still in remission to date.

The children and young people have taught me to be patient and to go at their pace for them to feel loved, wanted and cared for. Even though they may continue to push you away, continue to show the love and care until they feel safe enough to let you into their world.

Being a foster carer personally means being open to show young people that there are good people in the world who can make a difference to their life, to believe in them, encourage them to thrive and be happy. Having a supportive Supervising Social Worker and family has been my motivation to keep going through the challenges.

If you were thinking of becoming a foster carer, make sure to foster from your heart and always look for the good in every child and young person. To me, being a foster carer has been the most amazing journey I have been on throughout my life, and I can’t see this journey finishing any time soon. I have too much love to give.