Over time, that instinct would help keep siblings together, and later led to an unforgettable moment when two boys arrived on the very same day, finding reassurance in each other during a huge change. 

Fostering children became real for the couple through experience rather than a single decision. They began by offering short breaks, caring for young people at weekends. “It’s strange at first,” Paul admits. “You think, someone’s asleep in our house, and you don’t really know them yet.” But those early stays helped them adjust, building confidence and understanding. “It prepares you,” he says. “You get a feel for it, and then you think… we could do a bit more.” 

Their first longer‑term foster journey remains vivid. One young man had been carefully introduced, with trips planned and time taken to build trust. Then, unexpectedly, another boy needed to be looked after right there and then. 

“It all happened on the same day,” they recall. Two unrelated boys, both facing big transitions, arrived together. “As it turned out,” Leanne says, “it was one of the best things we ever did. They helped each other, because they were both in the same situation.” 

Small details from those early days have stayed with them. Paul remembers going for a walk with the boys and speaking honestly about how fast time moves. “I said, one day we’ll be having this conversation again, and you’ll nearly be 18.”  

Another memory is harder to forget. “He arrived with so little,” Leanne explains. “Clothes that didn’t fit, socks worn the wrong way because he didn’t know any different. That really stays with you.” 

For Paul and Leanne, fostering is about far more than care, it’s about belonging.  

“It creates a place of home,” Paul says. “A sanctuary. A new chapter.” Over 11 years, children have come and gone, some returning home, others staying long-term. Each outcome matters. “It’s not about holding on,” Paul reflects. “It’s about supporting whatever’s right for the child.” 

There have been challenges, of course. Moments of exhaustion, a house extension to make space, and days that pushed them to adapt in ways they never expected. What gets them through is perspective. “You have to look beyond the moment,” Leanne says. “Later, there’ll be a cup of tea, a calmer space… and then sometimes a card that says, ‘I love you.’ And you think, yep, we’re doing the right thing.” 

For anyone considering fostering, their advice is simple and honest: “Have your heart in it”.