Blogs Fostering

Jade was 14 years old when her family started fostering. She remembers looking forward to sharing her home with another young person as fostering was discussed openly and maturely with her and gave her the sense of making and being part of the decision-making from the start of their fostering journey.

Jade’s family has been fostering for 17 years and she has had the opportunity to support a variety of children from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. They have predominantly offered their home to children from African and Caribbean backgrounds.

Jade recalls her mother being very open and honest about fostering and the impact that it would have on them. Jade enjoyed the experiences and challenges of fostering. Jade is particularly proud of the work that she did support a young person to go to university.

Jade remembers her experience of growing up as a young black child, she said “books that had images of me were virtually non-existent. My Uncle brought books and dolls from America as it was hard to find items like this in England. This was only 25 years ago! There series of retold fairy tale books I particularly liked, including ‘Afrotina and the three bears’

“I remember my mum caring for my hair until she was confident that I was able to manage it my own. When I was age 13 I was able to relax (permanently straighten) my hair”.

Jade said, “it is amazing how quickly someone can judge you without even knowing you” and reflected on what advice she would give a young black person today:

“Always respond with your head held high. It’s a hard world and we need to understand how to respond accordingly. Focus on your education and find a vocation that you enjoy and motivates you”.

What is your favourite African Caribbean cuisine?

• Salt fish cakes- which are a type of fish cake, best described as ‘a salty fishy goodness!’ It brings so many people together
• African Caribbean family to me means being inviting, open and welcoming; it feels like a community.

Who are your influences?

• My Cousin – She started her own business and is progressing well. She is really proud of her culture and someone who has always inspired me.
• Barack Obama – I am happy he became president in my lifetime and paved the way for changing the landscape of opportunity.
• Katherine Johnson – an American mathematician. She was one of the only black females working at NASA in the mid-1900s. She led with so much strength and ignored both the racial and gender barriers at that time. If we have barriers now, what was it like then?

What is your favourite book?

• Small Island – This was the first time that I read about the Windrush it really resonated with me and it gave me a lot of perspective.

Any last thoughts?

I was brought up to be open-minded and welcoming, and I enjoy listening to people’s stories. Overall, I’ve had a positive experience being part of a fostering family and then ultimately becoming a co-carer in more recent years.