Nikki and Geoff's story

Nikki and Geoff are Stockport Council foster carers who transferred to us from an agency. Here, they reflect on their fostering journey and why they chose to foster with Stockport Council.

“We would say we were 'normal' people living a 'normal life' bringing up our children. Our children were young adults and supportive of us when we decided we wanted to foster. Our reasons? We wanted to continue to offer support and nurture local children who would benefit from experiencing a stable family life.

"My husband Geoff has enjoyed a long career in the commercial side of sport working for such clubs at Manchester City but nothing comes close to the rewards that we get from looking after Stockport’s most vulnerable children and seeing them flourish. We are active members of the Stockport Foster Carers Association who represent foster carers and the fostering community here in Stockport. We get involved in organising events for the fostering families and encouraging our local children to get involved in hobbies. Geoff has a love of football and actively encourages our young people to support our local Stockport County football team, and any other hobbies they may have.

"We initially fostered for an Independent Agency. My husband was the stay at home carer whilst I continued to work as a Teaching Assistant for the local primary school. We were part of a North West based fostering team but all training was out of the area and we cared for children who lived a distance away. We did not feel part of a close team.

"I remember feeling that the most important need for me was to feel part of a local team, foster local children and to have schools close by. I wanted meetings and training to be local, to see the same faces regularly and, in time, start building a new network of colleagues within our community who could support us in the challenging role of nurturing vulnerable children. So what did we do? We contacted Stockport Council’s fostering team.

"Our transfer from the agency to Stockport Council was smooth, uncomplicated and we were shown respect by the professionals who worked alongside us. We were extensively supported along the way and we now foster a sibling group in Stockport which means local school run, local training, local contact centres. We have started to see regular faces and make new friends.

"We meet so many people who all say, “Wow! how good are you to foster?”, “do you not get attached?”, “how can you say goodbye?”. Yes, you become attached and yes, it is emotional when their life journey means they must move on. What you hope is that the childhood you showed and experienced with them means they grow, blossom in confidence and learn to trust. It's a privilege to have been part of that journey, to see them laugh, play, help them with their homework and see them grow in confidence when they realise you won’t let them down.

"Foster now! You will never look back. We are so proud to foster with Stockport Council."

Contact us

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