International Men's Day (19 November) is an opportunity to recognise the positive contribution male foster carers make to the lives of children and young people across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire.
This year's theme, “The Future is Everyone", focuses on creating a better future through inclusion, support and positive action.
Foster carers play a vital role in providing children and young people with safe, stable and nurturing homes. Men from a wide range of backgrounds foster successfully, bringing valuable skills, life experience and support to the children in their care.
Across the East Midlands, local foster carers including Dean, Carl, Phil and Lee are helping children and young people build confidence, develop independence and thrive.
As well as providing a safe and stable home, foster carers help children and young people build positive relationships, develop self-esteem and feel part of a family. For some boys who may have experienced difficult childhood experiences or lacked positive male influences in their lives, male foster carers can provide positive role models, helping them develop confidence, trust and aspirations for the future.
Phil, who has specialised in parent and child fostering alongside his wife Ruth for more than 35 years, said:
You see the difference you're making every day. Watching a young mum grow in confidence, seeing her bond with her baby, and knowing you've helped create that stability, it's an amazing feeling.
Dean, a single parent said:
Everything just seemed to come together where I thought, yeah, I'd be good at this.
Speaking about becoming a foster carer, he added:
I don't think anybody can really prepare you. When the child arrives, you adapt to what they need.
Lee, who fosters alongside his wife, said:
To see what value you put into people and to change people's lives is worth it.
Carl said:
We knew from the beginning there were many children out there who needed a safe place to grow up. So, we chose fostering.
Reflecting on his experience, he added:
Some days are tough, but the rewards far outweigh the struggles.
Councillor Paul Hezelgrave, Lead Cabinet Member for Fostering for the East Midlands, said:
International Men's Day gives us an opportunity to recognise the many ways men make a positive difference in our communities. Our male foster carers provide stability, encouragement and support to children and young people when they need it most. Their experiences show that fostering is open to people from all walks of life and that, by opening your home and heart, you can help shape a brighter future for a child.
There are many ways to foster, and people from a variety of backgrounds, cultures and professions can become foster carers. What they have in common is a commitment to supporting children and young people when they need it most.
Find out more information about fostering for your local council by emailing [email protected], calling 03033 132 950, or visiting the Foster for East Midlands Councils website.