“Pragna and I have been fostering with TACT since 2010 and have cared for over 39 children and young people. In this time we’ve cared for children of all ages, boys and girls, siblings and unaccompanied children.

I had a really good childhood, my parents were loving and kind – exactly what parents should be. When I see children that don’t have this, it makes me want to help as much as possible to make a positive difference to their lives – this is what motivated me to become a foster carer.

When we started making enquiries about fostering, at the time a friend of mine was fostering and was changing to TACT so we got TACT’s number and all we can say is the rest is history!

When we first cared for an unaccompanied child, the duty officer rang us to talk about it, we had no placement at the time and had no reasons to say no. People wonder what it’s like to foster an unaccompanied asylum seeking child, but for us, it’s no different to fostering any other child that needs a place that is warm and safe to live. You don’t need any ‘extra skills’ to care for unaccompanied children, all you need is to be yourself, give them love and make them feel like you them and care for them.

TACT have always given us support with all of the children that we have cared for, the support has always been 100% in our eyes.

It’s amazing to see the young people grow into something you would never think is possible at the start. It’s so enjoyable being part of the young people’s lives, helping them grow, having fun and just being there for them when they need you.

Advice we would give to others thinking about becoming a foster carer is to always be yourself. Enjoy life and enjoy the time you have with the young people. Of course rules have to be put down to make you and them safe, but no one said you can’t have fun!”