Foster carers have welcomed children into their family for 17 years

Why have the couple dedicated so much time to being foster carers?

This year’s foster care fortnight takes place between May 10 and May 23 and the theme is #whywecare.

Emma and Martin’s fostering journey began 17 years ago when their own two children were very small and they transferred to Bolton Council from an independent agency around five years ago to benefit from the fostering team’s expert help, advice and support.

They have fostered children and young people of all ages, taking care of sibling groups where brothers and sisters need to stay together for a short time as well as more long-term placements.

When children are placed with Emma and Martin they are welcomed into the family, even though their own children are now 23 and 21.

Since they began working with Bolton Council’s fostering team, Emma and Martin have been supported in their role as foster carers, joining a strong group of professionals who are all working together.

Emma said: “We can all support one another to ensure that the children are getting the very best care.

“Each child that is placed with us is provided with stability in the home as well as stability within the organisation that is responsibility for their care.

“We have tried to tell every single one of our foster children that life changes and situations change, especially in the middle of a global pandemic.

“Life is unpredictable and you don’t always know what is going to happen but we can offer a safe place that gives children a sense of security.”

Where appropriate, Emma and Martin work closely with the foster children’s families and they are keen to make children aware that all families are different.

Emma said: “We know that families come in all kinds of shapes and sizes and that means we need families that can offer the right size and shape to give support to any child that might need it for however long they might need it.

“Many children have multiple families in different places and they get the best of both worlds by continuing to see their birth families as well as form part of ours.”

Martin added: “We care because if our own family can be the right fit for a child then we want to help.”

For more information visit www.bolton.gov.uk/fostering, email fostering@bolton.gov.uk or call 0800 107 1564.

You can also use @fosterbolton on Twitter or @fosterwithbolton on Facebook

More than 57,000 in foster care

Did you know that there are more than 57,000 children and young people living with foster carers in England?

Some of these dedicated carers are supported by Bolton Council’s fostering team, which is a not for profit organisation working with families every step of the way.

Some carers have been newly approved this year while others have been fostering for 10, 20 or 30 years with one couple, Emma and Martin Price, becoming foster carers more than 17 years ago.

Next week, we will be celebrating the anniversary milestones for some of the dedicated carers old and new.

We will be focusing on what they have achieved, including how the newest recruits felt when welcoming their first child or sibling group into their family, as well as looking at the challenges they have experienced as carers together with their proudest moments.