Gary and Colin – TACT Foster Carers since 2007
East Midlands
Gary and Colin have been TACT foster carers for 9 years. Through their years of being foster carers, they have cared for many young people and have also provided a home for a TACT care leaver on a ‘staying put’ placement.
“Being a foster carer is the best and most rewarding thing I’ve ever done. When you see the changes you can make to a young person’s life – it’s great! We know that, because of what we’ve been able to offer, the young person will do better and have a more positive future than if we hadn’t been there. I find that living with a same sex couple they also develop a very strong sense of tolerance and diversity
We have always found TACT to be very supportive. Our sexuality has never been mentioned in any way as an issue. TACT is only interested in how our relationship means we are able to provide a stable loving home for the young people we care for.
I feel there are benefits to being a same sex fostering couple, something TACT has always recognised. As a gay man you are part of a minority group and can sometimes feel that you are not part of mainstream society. Many children in care can feel similar, in that they are likely to be different from their friends and peers as they do not live with their family members. This means that we have a lot of empathy with them and understand how they might be feeling.
I’d recommend anyone to become a TACT foster carer. They have always given us the support we need to make a real difference to the lives of some amazing young people”
