Ali and Liz's story

Ali says: “Up until recently, Liz and I have been short break foster carers with Barnardo’s and we have just started our very first full-time foster placement, which will be a new challenge for both of us.  

“We got in touch with Barnardo’s about three years ago, after we had been handed a leaflet about Barnardo’s Fostering at the Belfast PRIDE event. At that stage, we only had the capacity to become short term or respite foster carers. 

“Twice every month we would have a little boy come to stay with us and that gave us the opportunity to dip our toes in the water with fostering, to learn about how the system works and to gain some experience.  

“We now have another little boy staying with us which is full time and we’re also hoping to continue the short-term fostering we currently do with another young boy.  

“Liz and I don’t have children of our own, but we’ve grown up with lots of children around us from extended family and friends.

"There never seemed a perfect time to try fostering before, as I was running my own business and Liz was working full time, so we didn’t pursue it, but the thought was always there, and we talked about it as something that we would both like to do. 

“The process of becoming a foster carer with Barnardo’s was lengthy, but we understood that the length and the complexity is a good thing.

"It's good for the children and equally it’s good for potential foster carers, because it allows you to demonstrate your commitment.

"As we started the process during COVID, all of our sessions were done online and the support and advice that we received from Barnardo’s was brilliant.  

It’s enriched our lives. It’s taught us a lot about ourselves and our partnership, even after 20+ years.”