A couple from Frome who are full-time foster carers, have launched a documentary-style video blog or ‘v-log’ on YouTube, all about fostering.
Trudy and Matt Patch began fostering for Somerset County Council in June 2013. Originally approved for 0-6 year-olds, they now foster a 14 year-old on a permanent basis after deciding they wanted to care for teenagers. Trudy is also the chair of the voluntary Somerset Foster Care Association.
Trudy and Matt’s v-log is set to be a regular fixture on YouTube, with the pair recording episodes of their video blog on their fostering experiences. The couple are keen to share their insights into different aspects of fostering: from why a strong support network is vital, to tackling your first placement. Matt also plans to have a solo slot about what it’s like to be a male foster carer.
In episode one, filmed in Trudy and Matt’s back garden, on why they decided to get into foster caring, Trudy said “Just because we love children. We can’t have any more children of our own and just thought about what can we do to fill our house up with kids.”
Matt “It kind of started for me when my middle boy was new-born, had my own business, so I was never at home, love children and it really got me down … so we took a big [life style change] because we are so child-centred, and so we went down the fostering route. It’s probably been one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life.”
You can watch the first episode via www.youtube.com/watch?v=08epcPn2Imc
Somerset County Council continues to seek foster carers for older children and young people, people who could foster brothers and sisters, skilled individuals who can care for children with disabilities, and understanding people who have the space in their lives to help a troubled teenager experiencing tough times.
Find out how you can make a difference as a foster carer in Somerset – visit www.fosteradoptsomerset.org.uk phone 0800 587 9900, ‘like’ the Fostering in Somerset Facebook page or follow @fostersomerset on Twitter.
