Unable to have children of her own, Louise Groves, 33, from Essex, always had a deep maternal instinct, after suffering a traumatic childhood herself. In 2004, she started fostering and has cared for more than 40 children...

'People ask me if I find it hard fostering on my own, as a single woman – I don’t think it matters. I was destined to do it.

‘I was born without a womb so have always known I would not be able to conceive naturally. My need to nurture children is firmly embedded within me, driven by the unexpected deaths of my mother, father and brother.

‘I was sent into foster care at 14 after my mother died of a brain haemorrhage and my father, who had been divorced from my mum, committed suicide two years after her death. I was sent to boarding school to finish my studies but then a further devastating blow came aged 16, when my brother, Patrick, also committed suicide.

‘Having experienced amazing foster parents myself, I felt a deep longing and a sense of compassion to help children in care who might be experiencing similar circumstances.

‘I first talked about fostering while I was married. I got married at 18 but it only lasted three years. I knew fostering was something I had to do, but that I would have to wait until I was financially and emotionally ready. This happened at the age of 26.

‘I contacted my local authority’s fostering recruitment department by going online. I was sent an information pack, was invited to an open night and continued with a home assessment. From there it was decided I could proceed to the “skills to foster” course, which I now teach.

‘It was a year before I was accepted as a suitable foster parent for children aged between five and 14. I cried when I was told I’d been accepted.

‘My expectations of fostering weren’t wildly different to what I think parenting is like for anyone: I knew it would come with challenges and moments of joy. Of course I get sad when the children leave – that’s a real downside.

‘I remember feeling immense nerves but also huge amounts of love when my first child came into my care. But having been fostered myself, perhaps I knew what to expect.

‘I transformed my house into a place kids would love. The bedrooms were decorated and I bought new bedding, wardrobes and drawers. I want every child who walks in to feel they deserve the best in life and nice bedrooms are a big part of that. It was a heartwarming moment seeing the first bedroom done up – a sign I was finally going to parent children.

‘I always make sure I know what food a child likes before they arrive so they feel welcome and cherished. I still remember being really upset when, on my first day in a foster placement, I was served a fish supper, and I deeply dislike fish.

‘My friends have been like extended family members and whenever a child has a birthday during their stay with me, they’ll always give cards.

‘I like to give the all the children something when they leave. I’m into crafts and create items relating to treasured memories in my home.

‘I love singing along to the radio with the kids in the car and snacking on pizzas in front of a DVD. My friends and I take the kids bowling, roller skating and to the cinema, too. That’s not to say it’s not a steep learning curve.

‘Children come into my care for all sorts of reasons. It can be as simple as not having family members to take care of them if someone becomes ill and is in hospital.

‘I always try and remember the child is anxious so I do my best to be a good listener. I attend hospital appointments, parents’ evenings and help with homework.

‘I got made redundant from my job as a loss adjuster in 2009 and went into foster caring full-time. I now look after children of all ages – from newborns to 18-year-olds. I am able to take in three children at a time.

‘I’ve never found it hard to love the children that I foster – every child deserves to have someone to love them. I may not have liked the actions or behaviours of some children who have had difficult upbringings, but I don’t love them any less.

‘Ultimately, being a foster parent makes me incredibly happy. It has given me a real purpose as well as some of the most challenging and proudest moments of my life. I’m very proud of all the children who have come into my care.’

Words: Wersha Bharadwa