Popular Show Highlights Real Stories of Foster Families
Kiri Pritchard-McLean's brand-new comedy show 'Peacock' gives an honest, heart-warming and hilarious look at what it’s like to be a foster parent in the UK. Our foster parent, Sonia, shares all.
Kiri Pritchard-McLean's brand-new comedy show 'Peacock' highlights the real stories of foster families in the UK
Known for her love of colourful fashion and bold looks, writer and comedian Kiri Pritchard-McLean has found lots of success in recent years, hosting both BBC’s Live at the Apollo and her own Sunday afternoon show on BBC Radio Wales. Her latest stand-up show tells the personal story of her journey towards fostering and all the ups and downs which come with being a foster parent. It gives an honest, heart-warming and hilarious look at what it’s like to be a foster carer here in the UK.
One of our own foster parents, Sonia, went along to the show to find out more.
Meet Sonia
Sonia, 57, has been a foster mum with Fosterplus for the last 3 years. We sat down with her to learn a little more about her fostering journey and to hear her thoughts on how ‘Peacock’ portrays fostering.
Tell us about your overall impression of the show
“I’d say the show is a must-see. The way Kiri spoke about fostering was very funny and very informative. It was great to see fostering brought to the public in such a big way. Fostering isn’t paid much attention in the mainstream media, so having a foster parent with such a big platform spreading the word was amazing to see.”
Can you tell us a bit about your journey to becoming a foster mum?
“For me, fostering was a lifelong dream. I’d always wanted to make a difference for children, but for a long time I didn’t think that it was the right fit for my family. As a single mum raising four little girls, I didn’t have a spare room, and for a long time I didn’t know that foster parents get a fostering allowance, so I didn’t realise that I’d be able to support my family while fostering.
“Once I learned about the fostering allowances and my eldest daughter went off to university, I knew that the time was right. All four of my girls were a massive source of encouragement. They knew how much fostering meant to me, and they encouraged me to take those first steps. Now here I am, achieving my dream, and I haven’t looked back since. I absolutely love fostering with a passion. It gives me a deep sense of self-worth. I feel so proud of myself for being a foster parent.”
Did you find yourself relating to Kiri’s experiences during the show?
“Yeah, her story really resonated with me. There were some moments that were laugh-out-loud because they were so relatable! I couldn't relate to everything she said, and there were a few dark jokes, but I suppose that’s the nature of a comedy show. One thing I really liked about the show was that she didn’t exaggerate things or gloss over them - it was a really honest, down-to-earth look at her personal experiences of fostering. I think that’s something which everyone who sees the show will appreciate.”
Do you have any criticisms of the show?
“I do feel at times the show made out as though fostering is all fun and games. I think it’s important, especially for anyone in the audience who might be considering becoming a foster parent, that both the ups and downs of fostering are highlighted. We obviously want to showcase the wonderful things, but we need to show the realities that come with being a foster parent, too.”
What was one of your favourite things about the show?
“Kiri really works hard to break down stigma around fostering. I try to get the word out there myself about how amazing it is, but I’m just one person - someone with a platform as big as Kiri’s can reach so many people and make a real difference to how we as a community think about fostering.”
“We need more people like her to show people the truth about foster care and fight against negative stereotypes. Fostering doesn’t get talked about enough, even though it's probably one of the most important jobs in the world. As parents, we are raising the next generation to become brilliant adults who will shape the future. There's not enough praise out there for foster parents and social workers.”
What’s the most rewarding thing about fostering?
“I believe that it’s the little wins. Personally, I love fostering teenagers, which is something Kiri also does. I find it so rewarding to know that I’m able to make their lives a little bit better while they're with me at such a pivotal age. You won’t always be able to turn a kid’s life around while they’re with you, but you can help to set them on a bright path by being a present, loving parent.”
What message do you think people will take away from the show?
“If I could use one word to sum up the show, it would be ‘inspiring.’ I really hope that people leave feeling inspired to consider becoming foster parents themselves. I know I would have felt that way, if I’d been to see the show without knowing much about fostering.”
“I’d recommend the show to anyone and would give it a solid 5 stars. It was a great night out and so much fun, and said so much about the importance of fostering.”
Making a difference together
Are you interested in fostering? Learn more about what it takes to become a foster parent, or get in touch with us to learn more about how you can get involved in transforming the lives of children in the UK. Reach out to us by phone or online, either by calling us on 0800 369 8512 or filling in our brief enquiry form.
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