Chelsea urges more to consider fostering

23 August 2017

A YOUNG Saintfield woman has spoken about her life changing experience in foster care to encourage other potential foster parents.

Chelsea Duncan (20) said her “amazing” foster parents had provided a happy family environment, which helped turn her into a “mature and responsible young woman”.

At the age of just two-and-a-half, Chelsea was first placed in foster care in what was understandably a difficult time. Eight years on, and with another move on the horizon, this trauma became exacerbated.

At this point Foster Care Associates (FCA) stepped in. Set up by a former foster carer and social worker more than 20 years ago, Foster Care Associates has operated in Northern Ireland for 14 years. It has now grown to become the largest independent fostering agency in the UK, with the aim of investing in high standards in foster care.

Caesar and Lorna Doyle, FCA registered foster carers, were approached to foster Chelsea and the answer was an immediate yes.

With 14 years fostering experience with FCA, the Doyles, along with their older son, welcomed Chelsea into their home, where Chelsea remained for the next eight years.

She explained: “Caesar and Lorna were amazing. Their love and support helped prepare me to become a kind, considerate and responsible adult and for this I will always be extremely grateful.

“I have so many lovely memories of my time with Caesar and Lorna; I was always made to feel as though I was part of their family which is priceless.

“Their son was like a big brother to me and every Sunday we would have their grandchildren round for Sunday dinner. My foster Dad was a fantastic cook and I still miss his home cooked meals. And every year we went to Spain where they had a villa. They were very happy times.”

Chelsea fitted well into village life and attended youth clubs and church events in the Saintfield area, where she made new friends, and enjoyed hobbies such as swimming and cycling.

However, it’s the times she spent with Caesar and Lorna she recalls the most. One of her overriding memories was when Caesar and Lorna came to see her at an awards evening she was attending at her local college.

“I was over the moon they came because they were so proud of me,” she recalled. “It was such a lovely moment.

“Even after I moved out at the age of 18, I knew they would be there for me. They’ve recently helped me move and I spent Christmas with them. I know I can call on them for absolutely anything.”

The future looks bright for Chelsea. At the age of 18 she moved into semi-independent accommodation after completing various FCA courses preparing her for this next stage of her life. She now works in a restaurant in Belfast and is proud of renovating her new flat.

“My experiences in care have been good ones,” she said. “I was lucky to have wonderful carers and have met some great people. I have become a mature and responsible young woman and I thank Caesar and Lorna for that.”

There is currently a shortage of approximately 200 foster carers in Northern Ireland. For more information on becoming a foster carer with FCA, or to find out about recruitment events in the region, call 0800 022 4330 or visit www.thefca.co.uk

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