A Journey of Healing and Support

As we celebrate Care Day on February 16th, a national event to celebrate and connect the care-experienced community, we’re sharing the most wonderful letter sent to one of our team from a young person in our care.

Harry* wanted to share the transformative journey he has been on in recent years, owing so much of this to Sian, his Family Support Worker at Olive Branch Fostering.  Please take a moment to read his heartfelt words.

*Name changed to protect his identity

“In the brisk days of January 2022, I found myself at a crossroads in life, grappling with a host of challenges that seemed insurmountable. The weight of problems and the darkness of depression had cast a shadow over my days. Little did I know that destiny had a heartwarming surprise in store for me - a chance encounter that would change my life forever.

It was in this moment of vulnerability that I crossed paths with Sian, my beacon of hope and the embodiment of kindness, who served as a Family Support Worker at Olive Branch Fostering.

From the first meeting, her friendly demeanour and infectious sense of humour immediately put me at ease.

Olive Branch Fostering, an organisation dedicated to supporting foster children and those in need, embraced me like a second family. Sian, as my guide on this transformative journey, extended her hand with unwavering compassion. She listened, truly listened, to the tangled mess of emotions that I struggled to articulate. With her support, I began to find the words that had been buried deep within, gradually unravelling the knots of my inner turmoil.

But Sian’s influence extended beyond her role as a Family Support Worker. Her friendly nature and quick wit infused each interaction with laughter and warmth.

Amid challenging conversations, her sense of humour acted as a reminder that even in the toughest moments, there is room for lightness and joy.

As the days turned into weeks and the weeks into months, the progress I made with Olive Branch and Sian by my side was nothing short of miraculous. The pinnacle of my journey with Olive Branch came in May when I stood before an audience during a presentation hosted by the organisation. Sharing my story of transformation and resilience, I felt a sense of empowerment that I had never known before. With Sian by my side, cheering me on and providing her unending support, I spoke not just for myself, but for everyone whose life had been touched by Olive Branch’s kindness.

In retrospect, I can only express my deepest gratitude for the Olive Branch family and, especially, for Sian. Their unwavering dedication, their ability to mend broken spirits, and their genuine concern for the well-being of those they serve have forever imprinted on my heart.

The journey from darkness to light, from despair to hope, would not have been possible without Sian’s friendly guidance, her infectious humour, and the support of Olive Branch.

As I reflect upon my transformation, I am reminded that kindness and compassion have the power to mend even the most shattered of souls. My story stands as a testament to the life-changing impact that a helping hand and a heart full of understanding can have.

Thank you, Olive Branch. Thank you, Sian.

With boundless gratitude”

If you’re interested in supporting young people in care, we’ll always need more foster carers as the number of children going into care continues to rise. However, we‘re also interested in hearing from anyone who is interested in a career in social care. From rewarding roles like Sian’s, supporting families with their placements, to Supervising Social Workers.

If you’d like to enquire about fostering, please click Enquire Now , share a few details and we'll arrange a call with a Fostering Advisor. For any current vacancies in our support team, please visit our Careers page.