CHRISTMAS is known as a time for families to come together to spread kindness, warmth and joy.
Tameside’s longest-serving foster carers have made many Christmases special for those who weren’t fortunate enough to have it in the first place.
Sue and Pete Williams continue to open their home and hearts to those they no longer foster, as they now consider them to be members of their family.
The Hyde couple, aged 72 and 81, have fostered local children and young people for 44 years – and counting.
They have cared for 27 children over the years and their family has grown so large that they have bought presents for 32 family members this year.
It all began when Sue saw an advert asking local residents to foster and she convinced Pete to attend the meeting with her. From there, they attended further meetings and training and, following an assessment, they were approved as foster carers for Tameside Council and welcomed the first child into their home.
They both worked full-time alongside fostering – Sue at a local Children’s Unit and Pete as a machinist – as it was flexible enough to fit with both of their lifestyles.
“I always knew I wanted to foster,” said Sue. “I was an only child myself but my childhood was so great that I wanted to have a big family to make sure my children and the children we care for had the same.”
Pete added: “Our first placement – a boy – was challenging as it was a new experience, and we also had our biological son living with us at the time. But we had a lot of laughs with him and we built up such a solid relationship that at the age of 18 years old he decided to change his surname to ours, Williams. We still keep in touch with him now, as we do with many of them.”
The couple have an endless number of stories to tell from their fostering journey but Pete summed it up by saying: “It’s not been without its challenges but we’ve overcome them, and it’s been well worth it. Over 44 years we’ve got thousands of amazing memories and only a handful of bad ones.”
Sue and Pete have made a long-lasting impression on a number of foster children, as one got their names tattooed on his arms to express how they’ll be with him forever, while others have asked Pete to walk them down the aisle when getting married.
The couple have even inspired their daughter and a foster daughter to help other children, as they chose to become social workers with Tameside Council.
The local authority is looking for more people to become foster carers – who will receive full training, support and an allowance, to provide stable and loving homes for vulnerable children.
Anyone can foster so long as applicants are 21 years or older, have a spare room and can offer a safe and loving home. Types of fostering can include short-term, long-term, specialist, emergency and respite.
Anyone who wants more information can call 0300 303 0321, email enquire@fosterforgm.com or visit www.tameside.gov.uk/fostering