Chesterfield woman Cathy urging more people to become foster parents

As part of Foster Care Fortnight, which runs until May 24, Cathy Saxton from Tupton is hoping by sharing her story as a foster parent she can encourage more people to consider a career in foster care.

Cathy, 55, has looked after five children since she started fostering five years ago.

Becoming a foster carer was a natural progression for Cathy, who despite not having children of her own, gained plenty of experience during her 25-year career as a primary school teacher.Cathy said: “I opened a magazine and there was an advert about fostering and before I knew it I was approved and I left my supply teaching to take on fostering full-time.

“I decided very quickly that this was my work now, I see it as sharing my home and my life and that’s just part of my duties.

“It’s not a straightforward nine to five job but I wouldn’t want it any other way.”Cathy fosters with independent fostering provider and social enterprise, Five Rivers Child Care, which has an office in Chesterfield’s Market Hall.

Since she started fostering in 2015, Cathy has cared for children and young people for anything from a few weeks to up to three years.

She also provides respite care – which is when a foster child stays with a carer for a period of a few days or up to a week in an emergency or to give their current foster parent a break.She continued: “With fostering I’m helping nurture these children in a much deeper way than when I was a teacher and I get to see their emotional development.

“The success we celebrate is helping them move towards them being the best versions of themselves at every level.”Sarah Cooper, Five Rivers team manager for the Chesterfield area, added: “Fostering can be an extremely fulfilling path for individuals looking for a career change.

“Cathy’s story is an amazing example of how fostering is not just a rewarding career option but is also an opportunity to change a young person’s life for the better.

For more information, contact Five Rivers Child Care on 0345 2660272 or click here.