The 'incredible ride' of foster caring in Salisbury
Wiltshire Council are urging us to consider caring for young people
A foster carer from Salisbury has told us supporting young people has given him and his family some "amazing experiences".
Salisbury-based photographer Spencer Mulholland his wife Lisa have been foster carer's with Wiltshire Council for three years, one of the current 125 households working with the council.
Spencer told us the need for more carers in Salisbury, and Wiltshire as a whole, is "urgent".
Wiltshire Council are seeking at least 20 new registered households.
Putting young lives back on track
The Mulholland family have cared for a lot of children, having fostered privately before working with the council, and Spencer says it's been an incredible ride.
"We've had some real amazing experiences," he said, adding: "It's almost like a gift.
"You get to help someone turn their life around or help them through a difficult time in their life."
One child the Mulholland's cared for hardly spoke during the first few months with the family. But after a year or so, the child had returned to education and was beginning to get their life back on track.
"He's doing so well and we're so proud of him," Spencer said of the child.
But, of course, foster caring isn't without it's tricky days.
"It's not always easy," Spencer said.
Many of the young people who are in foster care have been exposed to trauma and sometimes they don't understand why they're expressing the behaviours they are.
"You have to help them and unpick it a little bit, try and explain to them or help them understand."
Training that 'touches your whole life'
Spencer was full of praise for the training he and Lisa received from Wiltshire Council to prepare them to support young people.
"We've really enjoyed (the training), it gives you all these extra skills that you'll need to help children with trauma," he said, adding that the training had also benefitted them beyond just caring for young people.
"We've applied it to every part of our life, not just with the young people, you know, every relationship in my life is probably got better because I now understand a lot more about what's going on around me."
Spencer says the training helps with everyday things, allowing him to listen to people who are having a hard time, without trying to put a silver lining on things, rather empathising with them.
"It touches your whole life," Spencer said.
How we can get involved through Wiltshire Council
In a statement, Cllr Laura Mayes, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services said: “Our foster carers come from all walks of life and do incredible work for our children and young people, many who have gone through trauma and difficulties in their lives.
"By fostering with Wiltshire Council people can provide a home which is local for our young people and meets their needs. We have increased the rates we pay foster carers as we want them to feel supported to continue making this incredible difference to young lives.
“If you are interested please call us or join one of our online drop in information sessions so you can find out more and hear from other foster carers. There is no obligation just an opportunity for a chat and to see if fostering is for you.
“Fostering for the local council means all money is spent on frontline services and the child is more likely to be able to stay close to their school, friends and family networks. The council increased its fostering rates from 1 April 2023 and they range from £380 to £710 a week per child depending on people’s skills and experience.
“Foster carers need to be over 21 years of age, have a spare bedroom, time to care for a child and a willingness to care and seek to understand young people who have experienced trauma and loss.
“For more information and details of upcoming, people should visit www.fosteringwiltshire.uk, email fostering@wiltshire.gov.uk, call 0800 169 6321 or text the word Foster to 60002.”