Over 30 years of foster parenting 'keeps us going'

A couple in their 70s who have been fostering children for more than 30 years say they have no plans to retire.

Keith and Helen Atkinson, from Walmersley, have opened their home to 31 children, mainly teenagers, since 1994 - and will be awarded Bury's 'freedom of the borough' award in early 2026, in recognition of their service.

Mr and Ms Atkinson, 76 and 74, said they were surprised to be chosen for the award. "We don't think we've done anything special," Mr Atkinson said. "We thought you had to be famous to get it, not folk who grew up on a council estate."

Despite now being in their 70s, the couple said they have no plans to retire from fostering - "It's keeping us going," Mr Atkinson said.

Father-of-two Mr Atkinson and his wife had not actively decided to become foster parents.

"We didn't find fostering – fostering found us," Mr Atkinson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

"In October 1994 our daughter Kate, instead of bringing home stray animals, brought home two stray kids," he said.

"She said 'Mum, Dad, can my friends stay because they've fallen out with their grandma?'

"It was a freezing cold night so we agreed as the alternative was that they would have slept on a park bench.

"During the course of the evening we found out they were actually in care, so we thought 'Oh no we're going to get arrested'.

"The following morning we rang children's services and to say 'we believe you're two kids adrift somewhere, we've got them'.

"They were just thankful they were safe and sound."

From there the couple's story rapidly developed.

"Children's services asked us to hang onto them for a couple of days while it got sorted out," Mr Atkinson said.

"One of them soon went back to family but the other one didn't.

"We went to a local authority meeting with her, she was 14, hunched on a chair, feet up underneath her, hair across her eyes.

"We sat and listened to 20 people talking about this girl, never to her, it was as if she wasn't there, that she didn't exist.

"She was just something to be dealt with.

"I just jumped in with both feet and said 'she can stay with us if she likes'.

"She stayed with us for a year.

"That was how we got into fostering."

Since then, the couple have looked after 31 children - some of whom stayed with them for upwards of four years.

"They become like your own," Ms Atkinson said. "When we take on a child we try to include them as part of our family.

"They are treated the same and each and every one means the world to us.

"We miss them all but some we keep in touch with, sometimes one of them will turn up unannounced."

Several of the now grown up children have kept in touch and the couple will enjoy Christmas dinner with one former foster child, who is now in her mid-20s and pregnant.

Despite both being in their 70s, the couple say they have no plans to retire from fostering.

And the couple are also members of Bury's corporate parenting board, overseeing foster care and policy for looked after children.

"I'm not sure whether they're keeping us young or driving us into an early grave," Mr Atkinson said. "Seriously though, looking after the children keeps our minds and bodies active."

The Atkinsons will soon join the roll of honour of "freemen" of the borough - a credit given to individuals who have made significant contributions to their community.

Recent recipients include film director Danny Boyle, England footballer Keiran Trippier and members of the band Elbow.

Bury councillor Lucy Smith said: "Keith and Helen's extraordinary commitment over more than 30 years represents the very best of fostering, and what it means to our cared-for young people.

"They have opened their home to many children and teenagers who needed love, stability, and someone to support them.

"The contribution made by the Atkinsons – and all of our foster carers – is nothing short of life-changing.

"Every foster carer plays a vital role in giving Bury's children the chance to feel safe, cared for, and supported to fulfil their potential, and we want them to know how deeply they are valued.

"We are immensely proud and grateful for everything Keith and Helen have done, and continue to do, as ambassadors for Foster with Bury."

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.