Derrick and Sue share their fostering story
Derrick and Sue began fostering with Action for Children in 1999. Since then, they've fostered more than 30 children.
After their two daughters had grown up and left home, Sue and Derrick decided to open up their home and begin fostering. It was a decision that lasted over 20 years.
They spent most of their time as foster carers providing long term fostering to children in need. Now in their 70s, the couple have retired.
They say they miss it immensely, but are thrilled that most of their foster children keep in touch and are very proud of all their successes.
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For Sue, it was seeing her friend fostering a child that inspired her to start:
“I had a friend who was a foster carer, and I went with her one day to pick up a child. This little girl was stood there with all her belongings in bin bags. It broke my heart. I went straight home and said, ‘we could do that, we could help.’"
We’ve been so lucky over the years, we have so many wonderful foster children who keep in touch. We always wanted to offer a long term, stable place they could call home.
Sue
For Derrick and Sue, anyone who's interested in fostering should find out if it's right for them. But particularly, empty nesters.
Derrick shared how was this empty-nest feeling also prompted them to open their home to fostering:
“After our daughters left home, we felt we had this big house with just the two of us, it didn’t seem right. We had the experience of being parents ourselves which helps, but children in care are there for a reason - many have had very difficult experiences."
There will always be challenges, but you can work through them together. You do need to be resilient and willing to advocate for them. And be prepared for anything!
Derrick
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Sisters Sapphire and Lauren were taken into care at a young age. They were fostered by Derrick and Sue through Action for Children in 2006, when they were 13 and 10.
For both of them, their time with Derrick and Sue has been life-changing and had a lasting impact long into their adult lives.
They showed me what a loving home was and made sure I was given the best chance to live a stable and secure life as an adult. They have been an amazing support system for me.
Sapphire, fostered by Derrick and Sue
Lauren, Derrick, and Sapphire on holiday
Sapphire, now 32, describes living with Sue and Derrick as "a great period in my life."
“From the first day, we were welcomed into their family with open arms.
We had some amazing holidays, Christmases, and birthdays together, but my fondest memories are just day-to-day life as a family watching Saturday night TV and eating lovely home cooked meals at the table."
Sapphire moved back to London into semi-independent living when she was 17 and has remained close to Sue and Derrick. Her younger sister, Lauren, went to university to study music and lived with the couple on-and-off until she was 20.
Lauren, now 30, said: “Sue and Derrick have always supported my sister and I from childhood up until the present day with everything we have been through, ups and downs."
Derrick, Lauren, and Sue
“I have a lot of amazing memories with them, however one that stood out the most would be when we all went on holiday as a family to Orlando, Florida.
[We] got to experience all the parks there, including the Kennedy Space Centre where we saw a satellite take off. My favourite day was swimming with the Dolphins at Discovery Cove."
When reflecting on her fostering experience, Lauren shared how important it is for children in care to have a safe, stable home.
She said: "I'd encourage people to foster because children need to have love and understanding but also encouragement to express themselves and go for their dreams and ambitions, and to not feel held back by the fact that they’re fostered, just like Sue and Derrick did for us."
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Derrick and Sue at Buckingham Palace in 2023
In recognition of their amazing dedication to fostering, Derrick and Sue were invited to attend a royal garden party at Buckingham Palace with Action for Children in 2023, hosted by the charity’s patron, HRH The Princess of Wales.
We couldn't be more grateful to Derrick and Sue, and the safe and loving home they've provided for so many children and young people over the years.
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