'I've fostered for 25 years, it's life changing'

Helen Warren and her foster son Will St James spoke about their relationship together

A mother who has been fostering children for more than 25 years says it is "life changing" for both the parent and child.

Speaking on BBC Radio Solent's daytime programme, Helen Warren from Dorset told listeners: "If you do nothing else today, think about fostering."

She recently appeared on Katie Piper's Weekend Escapes for a makeover after her former foster son Will St James nominated her.

Joining her in the radio studio, he told presenter Katie Martin with his old foster mum "it's always what can she do for others before anything for herself".

Will was living with Mrs Warren and her husband for five years and they remain close.

He described his journey into foster care as "abrupt" - when he was 11 he said he went to school one day and never went back home.

Instead he said he went to Mrs Warren's house.

"I remember Helen was this really lovely, happy person and I remember thinking this is a bit weird because my life before wasn't so great," he said.

"And we ate a tin of celebrations together and got to know each other."

Will said his home environment before living with Mrs Warren was "abusive" and thanked her for the opportunities she and her husband had given him.

"I don't think I'd have any chance of being as happy as I am now and having the life experiences that you were so lovely in allowing me to have," he told her.

Mrs Warren said children "just start to thrive" in foster care, and that Will was a testament to that.

"They deserve the start that every child should have," she said.

Katie Martin said she had to take a break "to have a good sob" during the conversation

Mrs Warren relayed an anecdote of someone who she fostered who had never sung before, skipped through the corridor, or smiled at school.

"Then one day the headteacher phoned me to say she'd heard her singing," she said.

"That's the difference you can make as a carer.

"You give them the continuity, you give them the boundaries, the guidance, the love.

"They begin to thrive and before you know it they're skipping down the corridor."