Jon & Ellen have provided care for J since 2019. Despite significant adversity, J has thrived. Jon & Ellen were nominated as finalists in the 2026 National Children and Young People Awards.

On our first date, we actually discussed wanting to become foster carers one day in the future! Life continued, we had a daughter, got married and worked in our chosen fields. However, the seed we had planted on that first date many years ago grew, and we decided it was the right time to look into fostering.

For myself, I had worked with a birth family where the child was removed due to significant neglect and physical harm. I went to visit this child in a foster home and the difference in him was outstanding. In the short period of time, he looked so healthy and has started to catch up on some of his delayed milestones, but most of all, to see the emotional attachment he was able to form and the love and care he was given was inspirational, and at this point I knew in my heart, I could do this.

For us, the most rewarding part of our journey has been watching J develop despite everything he has been through. He has the most beautiful soul, his smile lights up the room and recently seeing his emotional development makes us so proud.

J has had periods of being gravely unwell. He was placed on a ventilator, and we were told that they were unsure if he had the ability to breath on his own. The moment we will never forget is when that ventilator was removed, he overcame the odds and was able to breath. We will never forget that feeling of overwhelming emotion that he had survived, I can not express in words how that moment felt.

Having only cared for one child over the last seven years, we can only express how he has changed us. J is a little boy who has undergone so much. Despite this, we have never known a child who is so happy. His smile is infectious and recently he has really started to belly laugh. He has taught us the purity of joy in life.

To us, being a foster carer has meant opening up our hearts. This is where it starts, you must genuinely care for a child, provide stability, love and commitment. It means not doing something half heartedly; you need to be committed. Throughout our journey with J, we have experienced extreme highs and lows with regards to his health. The motivation is simple, it comes from him. Knowing his needs come first. It can be emotionally hard facing things, for example, recently we have been part of the advanced care plan which also looks at end of life care. Emotionally, this is something we did not want to face, however our motivation to be part of this came from him. The fear of losing him is great, however the need to ensure he always feels safe, never alone and loved has to come before our own emotional needs. The motivation comes from him and the life we share for him.

To me being a foster carer has provided me with the opportunity to care for the most amazing little boy. It has provided me with many learning opportunities. I have learnt more about myself and my abilities to advocate and that I have more resilience that I thought possible.

If you are considering starting your fostering journey, be open to where your fostering journey may take you because it may mean you get to be just where your meant to be!