'Fostering in later life has opened a new chapter'

Since their retirement, Judith and Martin Ellis have fostered about 24 children and young people

"I never imagined I'd be jumping in puddles, camping in the back garden or running down the golf course towing a child on a sledge - it's been so much fun."

Judith Ellis smiles as she describes her post-retirement role as a foster carer in her seventies, looking after children from across North Yorkshire.

For the past seven years, she and her husband Martin have fostered about 24 children for varying lengths of time, from immediate respite care to longer stays.

Judith, 71, and Martin, 70, are part of a generation of potential foster carers that local authorities are hoping to target - so-called "empty-nesters" whose own children have left home and who now have time and space to support other children and young people needing care.

Judith and Martin, who live near Skipton, had considered fostering "on and off" before - but the demands of work and raising their own children had always meant "it wasn't the right time", Judith explained.

However, she said that when they both saw the 2016 film Lion, it finally acted as "the catalyst" and they decided to embark on their fostering journey.

The film, starring Dev Patel, charts the story of a boy from India adopted by an Australian couple and raised in Tasmania who searches for his birth family.

"It's a very moving and lovely film," Judith said.

"At the end of watching it, we just looked at each other and said, 'well, I guess we'd better look into fostering, then'."

The couple applied to be foster carers through North Yorkshire Council and, after an extensive programme of interviews and training courses, they were approved.

Judith said their own children, now adults with families of their own, were "very supportive" of their decision to foster and had since met many of the children in their care.

'A new lease of life'

Judith said that even after all their years of experience bringing up children, she still always felt apprehensive when a new child was due to arrive - however, that always quickly passed.

"After a short while, I think, 'why was I feeling so nervous?' because it all settles down and generally it's lovely," she said.

"It's a new lease of life having younger children in the house, filling up the bedrooms."

Martin said: "It makes your life very full again. As you get older and work begins to wind down, your life can become simple and calm.

"Children can stick an unknown element in there, which is quite exciting."

However, Judith and Martin stressed that it could also be hard work, as the children often came with complex needs or from difficult situations, which required adjustment on both sides.

"Once they realise that things are comfortable and we have some fun and we're nice with them, they settle in and become part of the family," Martin explained.

Judith and Martin became foster carers after their own children left home

As former rock climbers and keen walkers, the couple said they particularly loved to introduce outdoor activities to the children they looked after.

Judith said a distinct milestone for her was witnessing a child who she described as "quiet and subdued" unlocking his creativity while on a walk in the Yorkshire Dales.

"What really thrilled me was on the way out, he picked up a forked log and started playing an imaginary game," Judith remembered.

"This was the first time I'd seen him doing imagination play. That, for me, was a huge stepping stone and it was really pleasing to see he was opening up that much."

For Martin, his favourite memories have also involved trips to the Dales, especially when children they have previously fostered have come back to visit.

He recalled a time when, due to bad weather and other circumstances, the couple had five children in their care, two of whom had lived with them before.

"They all thought it was fun. The little ones looked up to the older ones, and the older ones were busy looking after the little ones, so it was a really great evening."

Judith and Martin said they were still in touch with several children they had looked after who had come back to join them on annual holidays and at get-togethers and were definitely considered "part of the family".

'Open hearts'

Judith and Martin said they would urge anyone considering starting their own fostering journey to take the initial step and make inquiries with their local authority.

According to North Yorkshire Council, as of September this year, there were 419 children in foster care in the county, and more prospective foster families were needed to to come forward.

Janet Sanderson, the authority's executive member for children and families, said those with "quieter households and open hearts" should consider applying.

"Fostering offers a chance to rediscover purpose and make a lasting difference in a child's life," she said.

"If you're an empty-nester looking for a new chapter, fostering could be the most meaningful way to begin it."

Meanwhile, Judith urged: "Give it a go. Sometimes it's hard work, but it can be so much fun, and so rewarding. You can actually change a child's life."

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