Worksop: Couple urge more people to become foster carers

Garry Gillatt and his partner Louise Cooper have been fostering for the last five years, during which they have cared for 32 children.

Since becoming foster carers the couple have found it one of the most challenging, yet rewarding careers they can do.

Garry, 38, was a former industrial painter while Louise, 32, worked as a prison officer.

Garry said: “Sometimes the rewards are few and far between, but when they happen they are fantastic.”

“There are a lot of ‘firsts’ and seeing their faces when they experience them is great. Like their first day at school or the first time they call you dad.”

“There are a lot of firsts that people often take for granted. Some of the teenagers haven’t ever been to the seaside, they haven’t experienced normal family stuff many of us take for granted.”

Garry would enourage anyone thinking about becoming a foster carer to speak to someone already doing it.

“If they are considering fostering and can get to talk with a foster carer then that is the way forward. It made our minds up. Alot of people get down the fostering or adoption and we were the same. With fostering you can help a lot more children so we went for fostering,” he said.

As part of Foster Care Fortnight - 13th to 26th May - Core Assets Fostering are encouraging people to consider a career in fostering.

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