“She Stands Beside Me Now”: Vikki’s Story and the Power of Relationships

From Shyness to Strength: A Young Person’s Journey

“When my young person first came to me, it was intense,” Vikki says. “She hardly spoke. She wouldn’t talk to anyone but me. She’d hide under a blanket on the sofa for hours, just reading.” It was a slow and gentle start to a journey that would come to mean everything to them both.

Fast forward two and a half years, and the difference is remarkable. “She stands beside me now. She talks to my friends. She sends voice notes!” Vikki says, smiling. “At parents’ evening, she said, ‘I’m doing really well,’ and I just told her - take the credit, it’s all yours.”

Tender Loving Care and the Power of Support

Vikki is part of Blue Sky’s Therapeutic Led Care programme - something she affectionately refers to as “tender loving care.” “These children need a little extra,” she explains. “Extra cuddles, extra attention, extra love. And over time, you see that love being returned.”

Being a solo foster carer isn’t without its challenges. “It’s never going to be easy,” Vikki says, “but the support from Blue Sky is amazing. The solo carers’ group makes me feel like I’m not doing it alone. It’s me and Blue Sky, side by side.”

Why Relationships Matter in Fostering

That feeling of connection runs deep. “Blue Sky is like a family. The little things matter too - like when my social worker turned up at the door with flowers and chocolates, just to say I was doing a good job. It makes you feel seen and valued.”

It’s those relationships - with her young person, with other foster carers, and with the team at Blue Sky - that have made all the difference. “She runs to the car after school every day, grinning from ear to ear. My friend across the road says, ‘Her face lights up when she sees you.’ And it does.”

If you’ve ever wondered how to become a foster carer, Vikki has one piece of advice: “Just talk to someone. Listen to their story. Not everyone’s journey is the same, but there’s always hope. And the relationships you build? They change everything.”