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New Year's... another New Year, another resolution...

So it's that time again.

The start of a new year, and we think, 'hey, maybe I should eat better' or 'let's get fit and go to the gym'. Or a million other things that we may stick to for a few days or even weeks, or if you're lucky, over a year.

But, one thing you could do that will have a lasting positive effect on yourself, your family and many needy kids, is give fostering a try.

You may be really worries, or anxious, or just confused about the application process.

It is long, but rightly so, but when you've gone through it all, what you get out of it is worth the hassle a million times over.

You get to help a child who maybe has never had anyone be kind to them, ever.

They may be used to be beaten, abused, talked down to, having no toys or things to call their own. They may have seen horrific things and normalised drug use.

But you have the opportunity to give the child a safe clean place in which they can safetly sleep and play.

You can encourage them to go to school and do their homework. Something which they may have never done before.

You can help them make friends, and attend day trips and youth clubs.

You can take them out for burgers or pizzas as special rewards.

You can show them that people do really care about them, and what this care looks like.

After Christmas, when we think of family members and friends, its a good time to reflect on the year gone and look ahead to the year to come.

But what if you're a child from a disorganised family. What do you have to look forward to?

A child I once looked after said whilst they loved their mum, they didnt want to live with her, because there was never any food in the fridge, clean school uniform or sheets on their bed. She spent all her spare money on drugs and didnt know he existed. Yet, he still loved her. The difference though when he came into care, is he got the basics he needed to enable him to flourish. He knew everyday there would be food to eat, that his room would be clean, and that he could sleep safely. Before care he hardly went to school, but after several years of attending regularly he caught up, did well in class and runs his own DIY business now.

When you foster you may only look after a child for one night up to many years, depending on the type of fostering you do, and the child's situation... but... and this is the important bit.. each night they spend with you is one less negative night for them, and one more positive step in the right direction.

How about for your New Year's Resolution you pick up the phone and enquire about fostering.

Happy New Year, Bristol Fostering

Check out are FB Here

NB Bristol Fostering is a personal blog and not affiliated with any fostering agency. The author just happens to be a foster carer in Bristol, UK

We do recommend Bristol Council though as they're fab. Bristol Council fostering enquiry form

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