Learn more on Mandy's fostering journey with Brighter Futures an advocate for LGBT+ foster carers, Mandy highlights empathy and openness

Lacey and Danielle have a lot of love to give. They have no children of their own and had been talking about fostering for a few years before becoming foster carers.

Jayne and husband, Ken began fostering 19 years ago when their birth children, from previous relationships, were 11, 13 and 15. They were inspired to apply after talking to a team from the National Fostering Agency at their local shopping centre.

Jo and Paul worked in the prison service for many years. As they got to know the prisoners, they began to realise that many of the problems began in childhood. The idea of fostering children started forming in their minds then, but it wasn’t the right time for them to become foster carers.

A challenging childhood can sometimes be the catalyst that makes someone want to become a foster carer later in life. This was the case for Sarah, who has fostered with the National Fostering Group for just under three years.