The year that MADE US

As we continue to look forward to a new year E stretching out ahead of us, we speak to three women who'll always look back fondly on 2023

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‘MY FOSTER KIDS BRING ME SUCH JOY’

Laurie Kilby, 36, is a social worker and lives in Wales with her partner Cindy, 46.

I’ve always known that fostering would be in my future. My mum had been a single foster carer and I’d seen first-hand the impact she’d had on all of the children’s lives and the joy they’d brought to her too.

When I became a social worker, working with children only made me want to pursue fostering even more.

Finding a match

So when I met my partner Cindy and discussions turned to how we wanted to grow our family I was delighted to hear that she was on board. But it wasn’t until 2022 that we decided to apply.

Due to a lengthy application process – with training and panels deciding if we were equipped to foster a child – coupled with a house move, it was in 2023 that we were finally matched with a child.

A 13-year-old boy with complex needs, we were to have him for a weekend each month. Picking him up from school on a Friday and dropping back on Monday morning, giving his family some respite.

As soon as we met him, I knew we’d done the right thing. He was so inquisitive, fun and energetic that it was an absolute joy to welcome him into our lives. Each weekend we tried a new activity. Bowling, rock climbing, basketball, even just going to the arcade and playing on the noisy machines. It was incredible to become stable and consistent adults in his life and we really enjoyed our time with him – we always looked forward to it.