About Us
Hi, I’m Beth,and welcome to Fostering & Beyond — my little passion project born out of a big love for the care community.
I grew up in the care system myself, so this isn’t just something I do — it’s something I live and breathe. I know how powerful it is to hear from people who’ve actually been there — who understand the highs, the lows, and the “what on earth just happened?” moments of life in and around care.
That’s why I created this space: to share first-hand experiences, honest reflections, and a few hard-earned tips along the way. Whether you’re a foster carer, someone with care experience, or just curious about how it all works — this is a safe, supportive place to learn, laugh, and connect.
What you'll find here
💬 Real Stories – No sugar-coating here. Just genuine, heartfelt stories from care-experienced people and carers who’ve lived it — the good, the bad, and the “we’ll laugh about it later” bits.
💡 Tips & Insights – From navigating the system to self-care for carers, you’ll find advice that actually comes from experience — not just the rulebook.
🫶 Community & Connection – Fostering can feel like a rollercoaster, but you don’t have to ride it alone. This space is for sharing, supporting, and celebrating each other.
☕ A Bit of Banter – Because laughter is self-care. Expect memes, mishaps, and moments that remind us we’re all human.
Fostering & Beyond is more than just a website — it’s a community built on lived experience, love, and the belief that every young person deserves someone in their corner.
From the heart
I’ve poured my heart into creating a few resources for anyone touched by the care system — whether you’re a foster carer, care-experienced, or simply curious to understand it better.
📘 The Foster Care Survival Guide
This book was written straight from the heart (and a fair bit of lived experience). It’s an honest, down-to-earth guide for carers and anyone in the world of fostering. Inside, you’ll find practical tips, real stories, and plenty of reassurance for those “am I doing this right?” moments.
🔤 The Foster Care Alphabet Book
A heartfelt and creative look at fostering from A to Z — each letter filled with warmth, wisdom, and a little humour. It’s perfect for carers, young people, and anyone who wants to see the care journey through a more personal, uplifting lens.
Both books are written from experience, love, and the belief that every child — and every carer — deserves understanding, hope, and a bit of laughter along the way.
You can find both titles on Amazon.
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My story
Who am I? I am Beth, and my journey through life has been far from easy. I grew up in the care system, bouncing from one placement to another, with a total of 37 different homes. I was never able to settle down, always feeling like I didn't belong anywhere. But through all the struggles and challenges, I have learned to embrace my past and use it to shape my future.
Through my journey, I have learned that I am resilient, determined, and capable of achieving anything I set my mind to. I am not defined by my past, but rather, it has shaped me into the person I am today. I have developed a strong sense of empathy and compassion for others who have faced similar challenges, and I am determined to make a positive impact to the system and the kids within it
. I use my own experiences to connect with and support young people who are going through difficult times & also to give professionals and foster carers the opportunity to hear real experiences from people who have experienced it.
I want to be the person I needed when I was growing up – someone who believed in me and showed me that my past did not have to determine my future.
So again I ask myself….who am I???
I am Beth, and my journey through the care system has shaped me into a strong, resilient, and compassionate individual. I am proud of who I am and the person I have become. I may have had a difficult start in life, but I refuse to let that define me. I am determined to break the cycle and create a better future for myself and others.
Join our community
Alongside this website, I also run a Facebook group called Fostering & Beyond, which has grown into an incredible community of over 11,000 members from all around the world. 🌍
It’s a space where carers, care-experienced people, and anyone with a passion for fostering can come together to share stories, ask questions, swap advice, and remind each other that we’re never alone on this journey.
What started as a small support group has turned into a big, beautiful network of people who get it — who understand the highs, the hard days, and everything in between. Whether you’re looking for guidance, a bit of encouragement, or just someone to laugh with about the chaos of everyday fostering life, you’ll find your people there.
If you’d like to join the conversation, come find us on Facebook — just search Fostering & Beyond and be part of a community built on kindness, experience, and connection. 💛
Views from the bin bag kid
This section is called “Views from the Bin Bag Kid” — a name that comes from my own experience growing up in the care system, where moving between homes often meant packing up your life in a black bin bag.
Now, as an adult, I use this space to share honest thoughts, reflections, and real-life perspectives on what it’s like to grow up in care — the good, the bad, and everything in between.
Some of these topics aren’t always easy to talk about, but they matter. Through these stories, I hope to offer a different perspective — one that helps carers, professionals, and the wider world understand what life in care can really feel like from the inside.
It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s written with heart — because sometimes the most powerful insights come from the people who’ve lived it.
Get intouch
Sometimes you just need a bit of advice… or simply someone who understands to listen.
Whether you’ve got a question about fostering, want to share your own experience, or just need an ear from someone who’s been there, I’d love to hear from you.
No judgment, no jargon — just real talk, kindness, and a safe space to connect.
Pop me a message below, and I’ll do my best to reply as soon as I can. Because sometimes, all it takes is one conversation to remind you you’re not alone. 💛