The Brighton & Hove fostering community gathered together recently to celebrate the remarkable commitment of foster carers who have helped and supported children and young people for a cumulative total of over 2000 years!

One couple, who have been foster carers for over 30 years, were celebrated for their decision to retire after providing a loving and supportive home for around 100 young people.

Rob and Mandy Goddard were honoured and celebrated at the event, along with several other foster carers who have each been fostering for over 20 years… one couple for as many as 45 years!

Rob grew up in the Whitehawk area of Brighton and was cared for by foster parents until adulthood.

“I had one set of foster carers for the whole of my childhood. I always said I’d like to foster myself and give a little bit back for all the good things I got.”

When Rob met Mandy, and the couple had two boys of their own, it wasn’t long before they felt the time was right to begin their fostering journey. The couple started off fostering for Camden County Council, before moving to Brighton and fostering for Brighton & Hove. Mandy says “it was the best thing we ever did, we’ve loved it.”

Mandy says “I would recommend it to anyone, I really would. Especially young mums who want to be at home with their children, and want to be at the school gates greeting children. They can be with their children and their foster children and don’t have to go out to work.”

Rob would also recommend fostering to anyone who has time to offer a child and says it’s important to give them confidence. “You just need to be there for them, listen to them, and show them the right road to go down.”

Mandy remembers the many young people she and Rob have cared for and feels proud to know that they’re doing well. “When we look back we think gosh did we really get through all that? You forget what you’ve been through but our experience has been great.”

She also reflects that her own children have played a huge role. “I think we’ve also got to thank our own children. I’ll always remember this young girl saying to me it’s really nice of your boys to share their parents with me and I never looked at it like that. My two sons were sharing their parents, their house and their toys with other children, but they enjoyed the journey and it’s done them the world of good too.”

Rob says “you get a lot of the kids question why you’re doing it. I don’t always tell everyone of them I was in care myself, but the ones who get difficult, I always  use it. Someone was there for me and I’d like to be there for you. You’re there for them when they need you.”

Rob received an MBE for his dedication to fostering at a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace in 2015 and Mandy became an honorary MBE shortly afterwards in 2016. Rob and Mandy say they miss fostering already but are both looking forward to a well-deserved retirement.

Rob and Mandy’s social worker Jo says “it has been an absolute pleasure to support Rob and Mandy during their fostering journey, and to see firsthand the difference which they have made in the lives of the children and young people in their care. Rob and Mandy and their children embraced fostering with passion and humility, always striving to support children to reach their full potential, and always being the children`s strongest advocates.

Rob and Mandy have maintained supportive relationships with many of the young people who have moved on from their care, many of whom are now adults and have families of their own. Rob and Mandy will be greatly missed by the Brighton & Hove Fostering Service and we will always remember them for their fostering achievements. We wish them nothing but happiness in their retirement.”

The Brighton & Hove City Council Fostering Service need many more people to come forward to join their fantastic network of foster carers. As a foster carer you will play a crucial role supporting some of the most vulnerable children and teenagers in the city by offering a stable, secure and loving base where they can thrive. Fostering is not right for everyone, so if you are not in a position to foster yourself you can still #PlayYourPart by sharing the message with a friend or family member who would make a great carer.

Watch Rob and Mandy’s full interview. 


To learn more about becoming a foster carer, email fosteringrecruitment@brighton-hove.gov.uk to arrange a call or learn more by visiting www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/foster. The team hold regular online information sessions via Microsoft Teams – you can register via Eventbrite.