Carer of the Year nomination – Paul and Sam Joynson

Carer of the Year nomination – Paul and Sam Joynson

Foster carers Paul and Sam Joynson are so dedicated to the children and young people they support that they have moved house and Paul has given up his day job.

The Sandford Hill couple began their fostering journey in December 2023 alongside raising three youngsters of their own.

Sam’s parents were foster carers for a number of years and Paul had experience of the care system while he was growing up. For the couple, both in their early thirties, fostering is a calling.

Marie Plant, Fostering Recruitment Officer at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “They are so dedicated and passionate about fostering. They are just so proud to be foster carers.

“The couple have cared for a baby since birth who has come on amazing since being in their care, they are also caring for a sibling group. The couple are passionate about keeping brothers and sisters together.”

Paul said: “We are hugely upbeat people and try to take the positive from any negative situation. We believe that everyone has the right to a loving childhood and a good start in life.

“We get so much satisfaction from what we are doing. Our belief is that everyone should try to spread kindness whenever they can. It’s a harsh world that we live in, but we are fiercely determined to do what we can to make it better. That means we will be helping as many kids as we can.

“We want every child in our care to feel valued and loved.”

Paul and Sam Joynson have been nominated in the Carer of the Year category of the Your Heroes Awards 2025.