Caring couple foster 100 children

Most people would baulk at the thought of welcoming 100 foster children into their home.

But for Ron and Barbara Parsons it is saying goodbye to them that is the hard part.

"There is always a tear in your eye when they leave," says Ron.

"But as long as they are going on to something good when they leave then we are happy. I grew up as one of 13 children and Barbara was one of 12, so we are used to having big families.

"Whatever you learn from your own parents ends up being passed down to your children. We try to instil good things in the children we foster, such as keeping out of trouble and thinking of other people's feelings.

"Also I grow all my own veg in the back garden and I make sure all the children that come into our house have a go, which I think is important."

Ron and Barbara, who live in Brinsford, near Featherstone, have been foster parents to more than 100 children. Some placements have been as little as one night, in a time of emergency, while others have continued for months and years.

The couple stumbled into fostering 15 years ago when Barbara's sister became a carer. "She was looking after a little boy and we saw quite a lot of him," says Barbara.

"He had a twin sister who was in care and she talked about how she would love to live in a family home.

"We became quite attached to her and so decided to contact social services at Staffordshire County Council to look into fostering her.

"However, the grandparents stepped in and we said we were not going to stand in their way."

Although they had missed out on providing a home for the little girl, the couple were encouraged to continue on the fostering route.

"Not long after becoming accredited, which takes around nine months, we took in our first foster child – a boy," says Ron. "He was only with us for three weeks but we took him away on holiday and I think he enjoyed the discipline and stability we provided for that short time. It's been many years since he left us but recently he called to say he was getting married.

"We even attended the wedding, which was obviously a very proud moment, and he introduced us to everyone as his foster parents."

The couple have four grown-up children, Ronald, David, Nigel and Nicola, and 10 grandchildren, but still take in foster children. Currently they have an 11-year-old girl and five-year-old twins.

"For most of the children it is such a relief for them when they arrive at our house that they fit straight in and it is as though they have been here forever," says Barbara.

"The longest that we have fostered someone was a girl for five years."

Ron says he would advise anyone to give foster care a try as it is very rewarding. "Children never forget and when you are kind to them and give them support they remember it forever," he said.

* To find out more about fostering call Staffordshire Social Services Family Placement Team on 0800 1692061.