I appreciate having Debbie and her family in my life so much, without their support, passion, care and attention I wouldn’t be who I am today.

I’ve been in foster care for 12 years, since I was six years’ old, and it wasn’t until I came to Debbie, that my life started to get better.

I have lived with Debbie and her husband for 10 years’ now, and I have loved my time with them. Fostering is different for everyone, things don’t always work out and I’ve learned that’s ok, it happens, and I now know that I wouldn’t be where I am today without Debbie’s support.

Debbie is just so passionate and committed to fostering - she understood me straight away and took a genuine interest in my life.

I first came to Debbie for respite care, to see if we were a good match, and I’ve been with them ever since.

I have grown up with Debbie and her family. She helped me accept and grieve the loss of my mum, and we have been through secondary school and college together. Even though there have been challenges, she has completely shaped my life and helped me get to where I want to go.

In September I will be going to university as a student social worker, which is a subject very close to me.

I want to become a social worker and work with young people because I understand what they’ve been and are going through.

I know will be able to help young people in care because I can relate to them.

Debbie has helped prepare me for University life, by teaching me general life skills, such as cooking and cleaning, but I’m touched that they will be keeping my bedroom so I can come back home to them on the weekends.

Fostering is not just a career. It’s a lifestyle choice and it can change your foster child’s life so much if you have the passion and love to give.

Even though you don’t always get on with each other, as with most relationships, I appreciate having Debbie and her family in my life so much. Without their support, passion, care and attention I wouldn’t be who I am today.