A Year of Care, Commitment and Community

In many ways, 2025 at Progress Fostering Service has been defined by the quiet, consistent work of care. Not the kind that announces itself loudly, but the kind that shows up every day. In living rooms and kitchens, at school gates, in meetings that stretch long into the afternoon, and in moments that matter deeply to children and young people who need stability, patience and belief.

Across the year, fostering at Progress has continued to be rooted in relationships. The sort that grow slowly, built on trust, listening and reassurance. During Foster Care Fortnight, this idea took centre stage as carers, staff and supporters reflected on the power of connection. What emerged was not a single story, but many. Stories of children beginning to settle, of carers learning alongside young people, and of teams working together to make homes feel safe and supportive.

This year also marked a significant milestone in the organisation’s journey, with Progress celebrating 25 years of care. The anniversary was not simply about looking back, but about recognising the people who make fostering what it is today. Foster carers who open their homes. Social workers who walk alongside families through challenges and change. Support staff whose work often happens behind the scenes but is felt every day. It was a moment to reflect on how far the organisation has come, and how much care continues to shape its future.

Throughout 2025, Progress has remained focused on growing and strengthening its fostering community. Information events, conversations online and open discussions about what fostering really involves have helped invite new voices into the space. These were not glossy recruitment drives, but honest conversations. They acknowledged the challenges, the learning curve, and the realities of caring for children who may have experienced loss or instability. At the same time, they highlighted the rewards. The moments of progress, laughter, resilience and shared achievement that carers speak about with quiet pride.

Celebration has also been a key thread running through the year. Progress has made space to recognise both staff and young people, understanding that encouragement and recognition matter. From internal awards celebrating mentorship and dedication, to young people being recognised in their wider communities, these moments reflected something deeper. They showed what can happen when children are supported by adults who believe in them and services that invest in their potential.

Within fostering and residential services alike, storytelling has played an important role in 2025. Features shared across Progress website and social channels have given voice to lived experiences. They have explored themes such as keeping siblings together, the importance of teamwork, and the everyday realities of care. These stories have not been about perfection, but about progress. They have shown the complexity of care work, and the humanity at its centre.

All of this has taken place against a wider backdrop of national challenges in fostering. Across the UK, services continue to face pressures around recruitment, retention and support. In that context, Progress has focused on what it can control. Investing in carers, listening to staff, and keeping children’s needs at the heart of decision-making. The result has been a year that feels grounded and purposeful, even in uncertain times.

As 2025 draws to a close, what stands out most is not a single campaign or event, but a collective sense of care. A feeling that fostering at Progress is shaped by people who are committed to doing the work thoughtfully and with compassion. It is a year that reflects growth, reflection and community, and one that sets a steady foundation for what comes next.

Looking ahead, the message from 2025 is a hopeful one. When relationships are valued, when carers are supported, and when children are given the time and space to be themselves, meaningful change becomes possible. That has been the story of fostering at Progress this year, and it is a story still being written.