When Shirley began looking into fostering, she wasn't sure exactly what respite fostering meant.
What she did know was that she wanted a role where she could continue helping young people while still enjoying the freedom that retirement brings. Six years later, she hasn't looked back.
After becoming a respite foster carer with Thurrock Council, Shirley found a rewarding way to support children and young people while fitting fostering around her own life and commitments.
"To be truthful, I'm not sure I really understood what respite care meant when I first made my enquiries. But I'm glad I did because it means I can foster as and when it suits my personal life."
Unlike full-time foster carers, respite carers provide short-term care and support for children and young people, often covering weekends, school holidays or planned breaks.
For Shirley, this flexibility means she can still travel, spend time with family and enjoy her retirement, while making a difference to children's lives.
"Now I've retired, I can still travel, see family and do the things I wanted to do in retirement, but I've also got spare time to spend helping Thurrock look after foster children."
Respite fostering also provides valuable support for full-time foster carers, helping ensure children continue to receive care from people they know and trust when their carers have family commitments, holidays or other important events.
Over the years, Shirley has built strong relationships with both foster families and children through Thurrock's fostering community.
She regularly attends support groups, training sessions and fostering events, becoming part of a close network of carers who support each other.
"Although I'm a respite carer, I'm part of the same support network as the full-time foster carers. I'm known within that circle as one of the go-to respite carers."
When caring for a child for the first time, Shirley makes sure they have the opportunity to get to know her before staying.
She visits them at home, invites them to see where they'll be staying and even shares information about herself and her home beforehand.
"If it's a new child coming to me, I'll go and meet them first. They might come and visit my home too, so they can see where they're going to stay. It's important that they feel comfortable."
Having now fostered for several years, Shirley has developed a network of families who regularly turn to her for support.
"I've got a regular group of six or seven families who use me all the time. We've built relationships and trust over the years."
While fostering has allowed Shirley to continue supporting young people, she says it has also brought unexpected benefits to her own life.
Having never had children of her own, she enjoys building relationships with the children and young people she supports and has become part of a wider fostering family.
"It has enriched my life. I've made a whole new group of friends since retiring and there are always opportunities to get out and about, meet people and have fun."
Shirley particularly enjoys caring for older children and teenagers, bringing a sense of humour and warmth to the role.
"I've probably overdosed on Marvel movies," she laughs. "But apart from that, it's been brilliant."
She also believes there are many misconceptions about fostering, particularly around the type of commitment required.
When she first attended a fostering information event, she discovered there were far more options available than she realised.
"By talking to the fostering team, I found out so much more than I knew before. Through the assessment process, it became clear that respite fostering suited me perfectly."
For anyone considering fostering, Shirley's advice is simple.
"You don't know what you don't know. If you don't come and ask, you'll never find out what's involved or whether it's something you can do."
And for Shirley, taking that first step has been one of the best decisions she has made.
"You could miss quite a lot of fun."
Could respite fostering be right for you?
Respite foster carers provide short-term care for children and young people, helping support foster families while making a positive difference in a child's life.
The role offers flexibility and can fit around existing work, family commitments or retirement plans.
If you've ever considered fostering but aren't sure whether full-time fostering is right for you, respite care could be the perfect place to start.
To find out more about fostering with Thurrock Council, visit: thurrock.gov.uk/fostering