0800 085 2225
Barbara’s Story
Six years ago Barbara Rimmer, from Northwich, would have found herself in the classroom at a local primary school volunteering her services to help support children with special needs. Today, she has carved out a career as a full time foster carer and juggles a busy lifestyle, centred on looking after some of society’s most troubled foster children.
“Before I worked with Foster Care Associates (FCA), I had derived an enormous sense of satisfaction working with primary school children. Seeing children from all walks of life with varying educational, emotional and physical needs made me take a different outlook on my life,” explains Barbara.
“It was only when a friend of mine suggested that fostering might be an option to consider, that my family and I made that first step and got in touch with FCA. Since then we have never looked back.”
Concerned of the impact this new career change might have on her family, Barbara initially agreed to become a respite carer. Living with her partner Mark (46) the couple have looked after almost 50 foster children – many of whom have been severely disabled either emotionally or physically. The couple have one birth son, Joseph, who is now 16 years old.
“For an only child it can sometimes be hard to ‘share’ your parents with other children but in the case of Joseph, being part of a foster family has opened up his eyes and made him appreciate other people’s emotional needs. Joseph has played a key role in welcoming the many foster children into our home which is really important as fostering is a way of life,” says Barbara.
“Although it can sometimes be very challenging, the rewards far outweigh the difficult times. To know that you have been instrumental in bringing stability and security into the lives of foster children who may have suffered abuse is hugely rewarding. And, to give them rich opportunities and watch them flourish is wonderful,” she adds.
