Pride in fostering – Celebrating our diverse foster care community

Ahead of this weekend’s Stockport Pride, we’re celebrating our diverse community of foster carers in Stockport.

Meet two of Stockport’s fostering family, same-sex couple Steph and Mel. We’re sharing their inspiring story and celebrating the amazing work they do improving the lives of local children and young people in care.

Steph and Mel have been foster carers with Stockport Council for six years, working with Stockport’s intervention team to provide short-term breaks for children and young people needing support.

Steph and Mel owned a high-profile, award-winning bar in Manchester’s gay village. Life was fast paced and running the bar was hard work and long hours. When they retired they were looking for their next challenge and a friend suggested fostering, and Steph and Mel haven’t looked back since.

Working alongside Stockport Council’s intervention team, Steph and Mel provide short-term breaks for mainly teenagers who need support for a couple of days. It’s a chance to connect and unwind in a calm, quiet environment and, when they arrive, they’re given a pampering box full of beauty products, a sleeping mask and toiletries.

Steph said:

“The kids coming to our house feel like it’s a real treat and look forward to having that bit of head space. We get on their level, almost like a big sister or auntie figure, and it’s a hugely successful way of helping them feel safe and to help them work through the challenges they’re facing.”

Steph and Mel are keen to encourage other gay couples to consider fostering. Steph said:

“Many of the young people we work with are struggling with sexuality and, as a gay couple, we can relate to them and they can identify with us.”

Could you foster?

We urgently need more foster carers in Stockport. Whether you’re single, married or in a same-sex relationship, the most important thing is your willingness to provide a safe and loving home.

If you foster with Stockport Council, you’ll receive ongoing training and professional support from our fostering team, and receive generous tax-free allowances, including extra allowances for clothing, birthdays and holidays.

For more information about joining Stockport’s family of foster carers, visit our www.fosterforgm.com/stockport