East of England
From Infertility Struggles to Fostering Success: Ted and Tanya’s story
For Ted and Tanya, fostering has always been about creating the family they longed for. The couple met later in life and knew from the start that they wanted children. After several years together, they faced heartbreak when they struggled to conceive. IVF brought difficult times, and the journey took its toll.
“Those were very sad days,” Tanya reflects, “but we always spoke about adoption and fostering. We knew we had so much love to give”.
Life changed when they were blessed with a daughter four years ago. But instead of closing the chapter, her arrival opened a new one. “We realized we had more love to share,” says Ted. “Fostering felt like the right path for us”.
Three years on, their home is full of life, laughter, and the joy of raising both their birth daughter and their foster child, who is now a permanent part of their family. When she first arrived, she was non-verbal and faced many challenges. With patience, therapeutic support, Ted and Tanya’s professional experience, she has flourished, even being recommended for mainstream school and future GCSEs.
For Ted and Tanya, fostering has not only fulfilled their dream of family life but also brought deep pride.
“It’s the most rewarding thing we’ve ever done,” Tanya says. “If you’ve struggled with infertility, fostering can give you that chance to build a family. It isn’t always easy, but the joy far outweighs the challenges. We feel very blessed”.
Both Ted and Tanya are quick to highlight the difference Compass has made in their journey. “The support, training, and encouragement we’ve had from Compass has been incredible,” says Ted. “You’re never on your own — it feels like being part of a real community”.
Their advice to anyone thinking about fostering is simple: “If you’ve got space in your heart and home, go for it. Signing up with Compass was the best decision we ever made”.
