"I've loved it!" - LGBTQ+ foster carers are in demand in Essex
During LQBTQ+ History Month, Essex County Council are encouraging members of the community to consider fostering
More young people in Essex are going into care but there aren't enough people to support the increase after coronavirus led to a nation wide foster care shortage.
That's according to Essex county council, who, during LGBTQ+ History Month, are trying to bridge the gap by encouraging more people from the LGBTQ+ community to become foster carers.
Stephen and his husband, Colin, both from Essex, became foster carers during the pandemic and have helped many foster children on their journey, ranging from ages 2 to 15.
Stephen says it was something they'd considered for a long time: "Both me and my husband always wanted to do it... the pandemic hit and I was given the opportunity to take voluntary redundancy, so I grabbed it with both hands and began fostering.
"It's been amazing. There's been really challenging moments, really difficult moments, but I've loved it for the year and a bit that we've been doing it.
"All the different children we've met... it's been fantastic."
He says he particular enjoys working with slightly older children: "I love working with the older children. There's a lot of stigma with fostering the older kids, that they're the harder ones.
"Well, you know what - having a newborn baby that wakes you up hourly for feeds is quite draining as well!
"I find working with the older ones is so much more rewarding because you can continue to build that relationship with them...
"All of the teens that have been with us, we still have some sort of contact with them, which is lovely.
"The young ones move on and you think about them, but in all honesty, they probably forget about you because they're six months old, but with teens, you can continue to have that relationship and be there for them - if they if they want you to be, which is lovely."
Stephen used to work in the tourism industry, and much prefers the freedom fostering offers him and his family: "Previously, I was having to leave the house at 7 in the morning and got back at 7 at night - really long days and I was missing school assemblies and things like that for my kids.
"But actually what this has done is open up a whole new well for me. I've been able to do the school drop offs, school pickups and attend all those assemblies. It's been amazing."
He'd encourage other members of the LGBTQ+ community to consider fostering:
"I've never felt judged on the fact that Colin and I are gay and I've never felt that it was a major part of the assessment process.
"I've never felt at any point when when they're looking at placing young people, or children, with us that they've thought: can we place them with two gay guys? Never.
"It's been a really positive experience...
"If you're thinking about doing it, if it's something you've always wanted to do, just do it.
"Essex are crying out for it and they're are great agent to work for."