Local foster carers transform their ‘ho ho’ home into Santa’s grotto

FOSTER carers, Wayne and Cheryl Allington transform their conservatory into Santa’s grotto each year to sprinkle some extra magic for their foster children.

For the past three years the couple, 54 and 56, from Hyde, go above and beyond during the festive season to bring Christmas to life through their grotto and a personal visit from Father Christmas, along with parties and getting the foster children involved in nativities at their local church.

Wayne and Cheryl have been fostering with Tameside Council for 6 years and they wanted to spread their Christmas spirit by showcasing how they make the season special for the local children and young people they care for.

Tameside Council are looking for more people to come forward and become foster carers to provide stable and loving homes for vulnerable local children. The council provides foster carers with full training, support and an allowance.

For children who are fortunate enough, they see Christmas as the most magical time of the year, knowing that Santa Claus is coming to town. But for some this isn’t the case.

Wayne and Cheryl wanted to make sure that any child they’re fostering gets the full experience, as each year they arrange for their eldest son to dress up as Santa and greet them with presents on Christmas eve.

Cheryl said: “It’s important for the children to have this experience so that when Santa is dropping presents off in the night they feel safe and secure, and my grandchildren love it too!

“Our favourite part is on Christmas morning when we all go downstairs together after ringing Santa’s bell and then we put on some Christmas music whilst everyone goes for it.”

Wayne said: “We always make a fuss at this time of year as we make sure the kids are always involved in decorating the tree and filling the house with all things festive.

“We’ve even upgraded the grotto this year, with a few new additions.”

Wayne and Cheryl were inspired to start fostering when they saw the fostering adverts, as well as knowing others who also fostered.

Before fostering, the couple both worked in full-time education, Wayne as a primary school teacher and Cheryl as a teaching assistant.

Wayne said: “We decided to go full-time into fostering and stop working in education, even though we could have carried on with both, as most foster carers do – but we were working on a children’s book at the time, and we still are.”

The couple enjoy being creative, so they find it important that when they welcome a foster child into their home, they allow them to express themselves through art and reading.

Cheryl said: “The kids go through a journey with the art and drawings they create, as children want to give something, so it means a lot to them to know it’s valued.”

Whilst fostering local children and young people, Wayne and Cheryl also keep detailed journals with photographs so they can take them with them when they move onto their forever home.

Over their fostering journey the couple have been passionate about fostering sibling groups in order to keep families together where they can.

When asked what advice they’d give to those considering fostering with Tameside Council, Cheryl said: “You need to do it, these children need you. If you’ve got a tough question that’s acting as a barrier to your fostering journey, get it asked!”

Whereas Wayne said: “It’s that first step of thinking I’ll just go and ask about that, but once you take that leap of faith, it’s most definitely worth it.”

Wayne and Cheryl haven’t stopped there. Together, they inspired their niece to start fostering, and they supported her through the entire process.

Anyone can foster so long as applicants are 21 years or older, have a spare room and can offer a safe and loving home.

Fostering can be flexible as there are various fostering opportunities to suit different schedules and lifestyles. Types of fostering can include short-term, long-term, specialist, emergency and respite fostering.

Tameside Council’s Executive Member for Children’s and Families, Cllr Teresa Smith said: “What a heartwarming story, thank you to both of you for sharing such joy to our children and young people.

“Cheryl is right, if you have a question that may be stopping you from starting your fostering journey pick up that phone or drop us an email and ask, we’re here for you just like we need more residents to come forward to be there for our children and young people.”

Any residents that have been inspired to enquire by Wayne and Cheryl’s story please get in touch by calling 0300 303 0321 or email enquire@fosterforgm.com or visit  www.tameside.gov.uk/fostering