With 37 years’ fostering experience between them, best friends Angela and Sharon have looked after more than 40 vulnerable babies, children and teenagers over the past two decades.
Shortly after Angela was approved as a foster carer, Sharon began her own fostering journey and they have been inseparable ever since.
They support each other and the children in their care benefit from having other people they can rely on to keep them safe.
Angela said: “We really are a family.
“It’s not just us because a lot of our foster families go out of their way to help one another.
“It could be lifts, shopping or homework - the usual everyday family responsibilities.
“We play to each other’s strengths and capabilities so, for example, when we go on trips, we can manage different age groups and their needs because we complement each other.” She added: “Sharon and I have formed such a strong bond over the years and we were definitely drawn to each other when we first started fostering.
“We want to help children and helping each other is how we make that happen.
“It’s so important to think about who will be there for you when you become a foster carer.
“There is lots of support available from the fostering team from social workers, peer groups and out of hours support, but having someone in your life you can call on for pretty much anything is invaluable.
“Of course we have our own family setups but we have definitely become a big part of each other’s lives.
“The children we look after certainly benefit from having another person they can count on, which they might not have experienced before.”
Fellow foster carers respect the strong friendship between Angela and Sharon as they can see how much they support each other.
Angela and Sharon, who have appeared together on Jeremy Vine’s BBC Radio Two lunchtime show, have made the most of every opportunity to train and grow as foster carers and have each completed more than 35 training courses during lockdown.
They also continue to raise funds for their foster care charity - Another Chance to Care.
For more information about fostering visit foster4.co.uk or call 01925 444100. You can also email fosteringrecruitment@warrington.gov.uk or use @foster4cheshire on Facebook and Instagram.
Face to face information sessions are returning soon
Foster4’s virtual information sessions have proven popular with prospective carers during the Covid-19 pandemic but face to face events are set to return.
As lockdown restrictions ease, plans are in place for the sessions on becoming a foster carer to take place at large venues across Warrington, Cheshire West and Chester and Halton.
Once it’s safe, the Halton Stadium - where you might bump into Angela and Sharon - and Warrington’s Orford Jubilee Hub as well as Chester’s Storyhouse and Beehive, Castlefields Community Centre in Runcorn and The Technology Centre in Ellesmere Port will host events at least twice a month.
The website and social media outlets will be updated with more information.
The next virtual sessions will be held on Wednesday, July 7 at 10am and Thursday, July 29 at 12.30pm.
Book your place by visiting www.Foster4.co.uk/info-sessions
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