FOSTERING
‘This is
home’
“I just feel so good when they are happy,” said Caleb Campbell. He only
started fostering when he was in his late 60s – but 12 years later he is
enjoying it as much as ever.
A
fter retiring from work,
including a spell of 25 years
at Heinz in Park Royal,
Caleb made a big decision.
He said: “I felt a bit bored at home
and I had two spare rooms and I saw
an advert for fostering. I thought ‘well,
I know about kids’ because I brought
up a son of my own and come from a
very large family.”
The first long-term foster child stayed
with Caleb for eight years and is now
grown-up and working. Caleb said: “He
lives in Hanwell now but comes to see
me often. He calls me Dad and he is my
son. We don’t do anything in our family
without him. This is still home.”
Currently, two teenage boys live
with Caleb long-term. One is 16 and
the other 19 and they have been with
him for five and four years respectively.
“The youngest one used to be so
shy,” remembered Caleb, who recently
celebrated his 80th birthday. “I used to
have to stay with him outside the school
gates until the bell rang. But he grew in
confidence and began to really develop
and have friends. Both boys were
praised as among the school’s best
pupils and I feel very proud about that.
“They received a lot of
encouragement from my son and my
foster son. They all mix together like
brothers and we are one big family.
“Every child who has come here is not
treated like a stranger – they become
part of my family. I always say – if you
don’t like children, do not foster.
“I would recommend it to anyone
thinking about doing it.
“There are challenges along the way
– how can there not be? But Ealing
Fostering Service is always there and
it gives very good advice and support
whenever you need it.
“And there are so many special
moments – seeing them do well and
being happy. And when it’s Father’s Day
and they make me a card, the messages
in there make it all worthwhile.”
MORE INFO
Currently Ealing has
approximately 100 fostering
households, but with around
350 looked after children,
more carers from all backgrounds,
ethnicity and ages are needed.
Foster Care Fortnight took
place in May. To find out more
about fostering, go to one
of the information sessions
(see the advert on the facing
page). Alternatively, call
freephone 0800 731 6550, email
[email protected] or
visit www.ealingfosteradopt.co.uk
around ealing Summer 2019
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