Lorna talks about the 13 years she’s spent as a foster carer with her husband Phil - the rewards, challenges and the transformational impact of the Mockingbird community.
I’ve been a foster carer in Salford for over 13 years now, alongside my husband, and it’s definitely been a journey.
We actually started off quite differently to where we are now. At the beginning, we didn’t have a spare bedroom, so we cared for babies who slept in our room. As soon as we had a bit more space, we started fostering sibling groups, which felt really important to us - keeping brothers and sisters together whenever we could.
That said, it hasn’t always been easy.
Caring for sibling groups can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also be emotionally tough. Over the years, there have been times when things have felt overwhelming, especially when juggling fostering alongside our own busy family life. At one point, our house was full, with a mix of our own family and foster children all under one roof - it was lovely in many ways, but also intense.
Like a lot of carers, I’ve had moments where I’ve felt like giving up. Getting extra help wasn’t always straightforward, and those were the times when support from other carers really mattered. Even just having someone to talk to who understood made such a difference.
So when I first heard about Mockingbird, I immediately thought - this could be exactly what foster carers need.
We set up our first Mockingbird Hub in Salford just over a year ago, and it’s grown into something really special. We now have a group of foster families who meet regularly, whether that’s for a coffee morning at my house or a monthly activity together.
We’ve done everything from pizza nights and park picnics to a very muddy woodland walk in January - some might say too muddy, but I’d say it was one of the best! It’s those shared moments that really bring everyone together.
One thing I’ve learned is that these relationships don’t happen overnight. It takes time for both carers and young people to get to know each other and feel comfortable. But when it starts to click, you can really see the difference.
Young people begin to relax, make friends, and just enjoy being around others who understand their experiences. It becomes somewhere they can be themselves.
For carers, it’s just as important. There’s something really reassuring about knowing you’re not on your own. If someone needs help - whether it’s a school run, a sleepover, or just a chat - there’s always someone willing to step in. That kind of support is invaluable.
What I think makes Mockingbird so powerful is that it creates a real sense of community. It helps normalise life in care for young people and gives carers that extended network we all need but don’t always have.
It’s reminded me that fostering works best when we work together.
I feel very lucky to be part of such a supportive group of carers. We’re there for each other as much as we are for the young people, and together we’re building something that really makes a difference.
