Mark's story

Mark, a local Neighbourhood Beat Officer working for Greater Manchester Police, and his wife Caroline started fostering after a friend fondly reminisced about the children she fostered. Both Caroline and Mark were from big families. It was Mark who first considered fostering and made the phone call to our fostering team. They currently foster a boy and his teenage sister. Previously, they have fostered 11 children ranging from toddlers to teenagers.

"I deal with lots of missing from reports and enquiries into missing children and work with local teenagers; safeguarding these vulnerable children at risk of sexual abuse. Working with families that are experiencing problems, I see how some of our children live. This made me realise that someone has to fight for these kids to make sure they get a good chance in life. Fostering gives me the chance to give these children a taste of family life and help them turn their lives around.

"For me, fostering is seeing the progress of children in every way. Academically, they have a daily routine of school and homework as well as their wellbeing and taking pride in their appearance. It's priceless what we gain for being able to offer this to the children.

"I can recall how I inspired one of my placements by helping our young foster child gain a 2 day week hairdressing apprenticeship at Stockport College. She is now working full time in a local hairdressing salon. On the theme of hair cuts, I recently visited a local children's home - there was a lad who would not go to school because of his hair. I took him for a haircut and he now goes to school. Both my jobs are rewarding. I am so proud to foster.

"Our current teenager is a joy to foster. We know that often people are anxious about the thought of having a teenager join their household, however teenagers have their own hobbies which I support. My current teenager loves going with me to every Stockport County football match. Being teenagers, they travel on public transport, are independent and want their own space which means we can have our space too."

Contact us

If you're interested in fostering, you can contact the fostering team for more information and advice.