Growing up in a foster family: Chloe and Hannah’s story

The Royal Borough of Greenwich urgently needs more foster carers to provide children and young people with a safe and caring home while they are unable to live with their own families.  

Sisters, Chloe (21) and Hannah (19) have helped their parents foster more than 60 children since 2008. They have had two foster brothers living with them for almost ten years and are speaking about what it was like growing up in a fostering household to encourage other people to consider.  

When we were kids... 

Hannah: “The first child my mum fostered was the first friend I ever had. When I was younger, having other children in our house was fun – it was like a sleepover that never ended. Having those experiences shaped who I am, making me able to be sociable and enjoy meeting new people.” 

Chloe: “I never really understood it when I was younger. One day there was a baby in our house, and I was confused about the concept. As I got older, I understood the impact my family were having on children who needed a safe home. I now appreciate the responsibility I have and understand how life changing fostering can be.” 

How it changed me... 

Hannah: “It’s taught me how to adapt and communicate to different people. It’s easy for me to interact with people from all walks of life, cultures and backgrounds. It’s definitely improved my social skills.” 

Chloe: “I’m someone’s pillar now and someone's important person that they look up to and get advice from. All children need someone to depend on, no matter what their age and no matter if they’re foster children or not. It’s taught me how to be a good listener for someone else.” 

My best experiences... 

Hannah: “Last year, the council took foster families down to Southend. I’m scared of rides, but my little brother was being so brave – I was so proud of him. I love seeing them grow. I also enjoy helping them with their homework and school exam preparation.” 

Chloe: “We stay in touch with our foster children and one of my favourite memories was when one of our previous foster babies' adoptive parents asked us to be a god family for them. It was such an amazing feeling but really emotional too." 

The hardest part... 

Hannah: “The biggest challenge for us is having the foster children leave. We make a connection with them even if they’re here for one day. We like to look back at pictures or talk about children who have stayed with us as a family. We stay in touch with some of them by texting or calling and seeing how they’re getting on in life.” 

Chloe: “It’s also hard to see our foster siblings see other foster babies come and go. I know the worries that go through their mind. It’s down to us to remind them that they’re here with us to stay and aren’t going anywhere.” 

Our advice... 

Hannah: “My advice would be to build friendships with the foster children, it can be fun. I think keeping everyone involved also helps – having dinner together or doing group activities where everyone is included. It never felt like we were sharing our parents or home – they're my siblings, just like Chloe is my sibling.” 

Chloe: “My advice to foster parents with biological children is to create a space where you can have open communication. I found it useful knowing why we were fostering and the benefits it had for the children. I also think the foster kids know when they’re being treated differently so inclusive activities are really important. A funny memory is when my brother – after eight years of living with us – asked if we were also foster children. It always makes me laugh but just shows how much they felt they were treated the same as my parent’s biological children and I think that speaks volumes.”  

Looking towards the future... 

Hannah: “My experience with fostering and seeing what some of the children had been through made me want to work in social justice. I’m currently training to be a lawyer so I can play an active role in changes lives” 

Chloe: “I’ve been around children all my life, so I want to work with them. I’m currently training in medicine and would love to work in pediatrics – perhaps as a GP.” 

Could you...?

If you are inspired by Chloe and Hannah or are considering fostering, you can take the first step by heading to royalgreenwich.gov.uk/fostering.