'Becoming a foster parent is life-changing'

After thinking about it for years, Stephen Pugh says he and his partner's decision to start fostering has been "life-changing".

"There's a lot of children in Wolverhampton that need a loving, caring home," he said.

Family members who had already become foster parents had encouraged the couple to consider it themselves.

"We put it off for a long time and we just took that step," the customer service advisor said. "It's just really rewarding because it gives us the chance to give something back.

"It's life-changing to make a difference to these children."

City of Wolverhampton Council is encouraging local residents to find out more about becoming a foster parent by dropping in to events taking place across the city this week.

It provides regular support and training for foster parents, who also get a fee and allowance when caring for a child.

The recruitment process took a few months, Pugh said, during which he and his partner Kaid were allocated a social worker to delve into their personal history.

Being approved in November 2024 left them feeling "elated", and their first foster child came to live with them weeks later over Christmas.

"It was just the nicest feeling to have a little child there with us who just needed love," the 38-year-old remembered.

After that, the couple were matched with a primary school-aged child, who has been living with them now for a year and a half.

"It's been amazing," he said. "It's not been easy, but the rewards outweigh the hard time."

Mel Blake and her husband, who have three children of their own, have also been fostering for seven years.

"We foster very much as a family," she said. "We still have one biological child at home who's very much part of decisions."

She took the plunge after visiting a recruitment event and speaking to those already doing it about "what really happens".

Providing a home for two young people over the years has "been a real learning experience for us all," she said.

"Our previous young person was very loud and my son was very quiet and they kind of balanced each other.

"He helped my own son grow confident. My biological son then gave him the understanding that in certain situations we need to remember other people are here."

Although she acknowledges some days are difficult, she said her training had helped her navigate young mental health issues, and become more compassionate about certain behaviours.

Blake now acts as a buddy to new foster parents, and attends the council's recruitment events to share her own experiences.

She believes new applicants "need to have a lot of love, and just be someone who wants each and every child who comes through your day to be the best that they can be".

When her first foster child moved on it was "a very difficult feeling," she said. "It's very much like loss. You grieve that child."

"But our young person is still in our life. He's still part of our family and always will be."

The city council said foster parents could come from "all backgrounds and walks of life", including those who were single, retired or renting.

Councillor Jacqui Coogan, cabinet member for children, young people and education, said they could help local children "believe in tomorrow".

"They provide stability, encouragement and care at a time when it is needed most," she said.

"A child only needs one person to believe in them to help change the course of their future."

On Thursday, the fostering team will be on hand to chat to people interested in fostering, at Costa Coffee inside the Next store at St John's Retail Park between 10:30 and 14:30 BST.

They will also be in the Wulfrun Centre's food court on Friday from 09:00 to 16:30.

Pugh encouraged those considering it to go along.

"The support that's provided, it does make it much easier," he said. "Take that initial step and it really is rewarding."

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