Meet Rosemary and Tom

Finding family, joy, and support with Credo Care

When Rosemary and Tom talk about fostering, there’s one word that keeps coming up: privilege.

Since they began fostering in 2019, life has been anything but ordinary. Their home is filled with laughter, challenges, learning, and—above all—love. When they transferred to Credo Care Fostering, they found something they hadn’t had before: a team that truly “gets it.”

“Nothing is a problem. Support is offered before you even have to ask,” Rosemary says. “In the past, we had to fight for things. With Credo, they just understand. They know what life with a child with specialist needs really looks like.”

Specialist Support That Makes a Difference

Rosemary and Tom are quick to praise the practical and emotional help they’ve received.

• The out-of-hours email is a “game changer” for updating the team on hospital visits.
• Credo takes the lead in coordinating everything—even during A&E visits—so it’s not all on the carers.
• Supervising Social Workers are ready to assist, whether it’s a tricky situation or a write-up.

“It’s a smaller, child-focused agency,” Rosemary explains. “If I call, people know our young people and understand what I’m talking about. That trust means everything.”

Moments That Stay With You

Some memories stand out forever:

• During Covid, they hired a private pool for a swimming trip. That day, ‘R’ leaned into Rosemary for the first time. “I can recall the exact moment—it was such a privilege,” she says.
• At a Christmas nativity, ‘L’ spotted Rosemary in the audience and shouted, “That’s my Mum!”—a moment that makes her heart sing.

Rosemary and Tom do not have biological children, so these “firsts” are shared milestones: the first Christmas play, the first family holiday, the first time a child felt safe enough to rest in their arms.

Why They Foster

Rosemary and Tom didn’t originally plan to find their “family” through fostering—but that’s exactly what happened.

“I love the fact that I get the privilege to parent them,” says Rosemary. “Life is never boring. Fostering has changed our lives and theirs.”

Financial stability has been another benefit, allowing them to give their children opportunities they deserve—from holidays to everyday treats.

Their advice to anyone thinking about fostering?

“Just do it. There will always be a reason not to, but there are children out there who need you. Be open to all ages. You’ve nothing to lose, and potentially everything to gain.”

The Heart of the Work

With Credo’s guidance, Rosemary and Tom feel empowered to meet challenges before they escalate. The partnership is collaborative, solution-focused, and above all, centred on the young people.

“We get all the amazing bits,” Rosemary smiles. “And we know we’re making a difference every day.”

If you’ve ever considered fostering, take inspiration from Rosemary and Tom: the journey may be challenging, but the rewards are immeasurable.