Northern Irish actor Daniel May shares how becoming a foster carer has changed his life

Earlier this year Daniel May became an approved foster carer for HSC NI Foster Care and now splits his time between providing short breaks care for young people and treading the boards.

The Lurgan man has just finished starring in Jack and the Beanstalk at Newtownabbey’s Courtyard Theatre, but said any standing ovations don’t come close to the feeling of becoming a foster carer.

Now the panto season is over Daniel intends to pick up where he left off by opening his home to more vulnerable children – his only regret being he didn’t become a foster carer earlier in life.

"As a gay single man, I didn’t really think foster care would be something I would be considered for. But I was very wrong indeed,” he said.

"Initially I wanted to adopt and I began the process of being approved to become an adoptive parent in January 2020. I guess I left it a little later in life, but I always had this dream of finding a husband and starting a family together.

"I realised that sometimes life doesn’t work out as planned so I decided to press on at becoming approved to adopt. Then Covid struck and everything ground to a halt. I also moved back home to Lurgan and nothing happened for a year or so.”

Daniel, who has starred in shows all over Northern Ireland and reached the last 25 of the BBC’s and Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Search for Joseph, then changed his focus and decided to become a foster carer.

"I still want to adopt and will continue to work towards this but my mum was a foster carer and it has always been close to my heart. I have been able to see first-hand the impact a loving home can have on a vulnerable child and it is a really special thing.

"There is a real need for foster carers and I knew I could provide a good, loving home.

"Before I became involved in foster care I didn’t really think there would be a big need in Northern Ireland. But it is shocking to learn just how many young people are living in care.”

According to latest Children’s Social Care statistics from the Department of Health there are 3,801 looked after children in Northern Ireland, of these 83 per cent (3,155) are living in foster care – the highest number since the introduction of the Children (NI) Order in 1995.

Daniel added: “I’ve just turned 40 and I really regret not doing this sooner. My first foster child was a three year-old girl come to my home for nine days. It was an absolute whirlwind and we both had so much fun.

"I can remember feeling so nervous before she arrived, but once she was here all the nerves disappeared. When she left, my home seemed so quiet and I knew I wanted to help more children and young people.

"Some people think being a foster carer is beyond them and even people who have thought about becoming approved don’t go through with it because they think they might not be up to the task. My advice would be just to go for it. For me, the most important thing a foster carer can do is give their time. These children really need someone in their corner. Home-cooked meals, clean, warm beds and consistent care goes such a long way, and I know a lot of us can provide that.

"The process to becoming an approved foster carer can take longer than expected but I would encourage anyone going through this to persevere.

"I wanted to tell my story as I know there may be people in the LGBTQ+ community who want to foster and adopt but maybe think they can’t.

"My advice is to reach out to HSC NI Foster Care to find out more information. Taking that first step is important and you will get the answers you need to help you make informed decisions.

"I was worried that my lifestyle would go against me when it came to fostering, as doing a run of 40 pantomime shows doesn’t leave a lot of time for other things. But there are so many different forms of foster care and I have been able to work with the Trust to find what works for me and the young people coming into my home.”

Melanie Coffey, senior manager for Fostering & Adoption in the Southern area, emphasised the desperate need across Northern Ireland for more foster carers to come forward.

She said: “Like Daniel, our foster carers are ordinary people who are minded to consider how they can make a positive difference in the lives of young people. Fostering is such a worthwhile thing to do and requires people who are thoughtful and kind.

"One thing we regularly hear is that people’s family circumstances make them think they aren’t eligible to become foster carers. But with different types of fostering available, ranging across various time spans and age groups it is highly likely you will find something which suits.

"Our HSC NI Foster Care Community is made up of a rich mix of people including couples, single foster carers, parent and adult children who foster together, foster carers from ethnic minorities and the LGBTQ+ community. If you think you would like to become a foster carer then we would love to hear from you.

"Our foster carers receive a wide range of training, 24/7 support, ongoing development opportunities and financial allowances, as well as paid membership of The Fostering Network and access to family activities and support groups.”

Anyone who would like to find out more is invited to call HSC NI Foster Care on 0800 0720 137 or visit adoptionandfostercare.hscni.net.