Part of the Family-bookcover

By: Jan Garsden

Part of the Family

Pages: 166 Ratings: 5.0
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An inspiring story of one family’s journey through the British care system, from the point of view of a foster carer. It tells of the funny, challenging, and often harrowing times of living life in an ever-changing household of temporary children.


Steering a course through the muddy waters of the care system has provided many obstacles but has overall proved to be a rewarding and heart-warming experience for the author.


Children who find themselves removed from their birth families are thrust into a system which, although trying its best, is so often lacking in the love and good quality nurturing they deserve.


As a society, we need to look at the way we deal with vulnerable children.

Although this is Jan’s first book, her story is both powerful and moving. She was first a model and a beauty queen, then an air hostess, and finally an interior designer. She and her family decided to “give something back” and began fostering in 2007. The following 10 years were a rollercoaster of emotions, including anger, frustration, sadness, joy, elation, and humour, but the idea of helping children was at the core of their beliefs. Jan made notes throughout her fostering career in order to remember the individuals who touched her life.
Jan lives on a farm in the beautiful Cheshire countryside.

Customer Reviews
5.0
8 reviews
8 reviews
  • Martin Isaac

    Eye-opening book detailing the experiences of a successful professional couple who became foster parents to troubled children badly in need of being looked after. They did this purely for altruistic reasons and this shines through throughout the book which also includes a chapter in dealing with the couple’s experience of dealing with an elderly parent. Highly recommended

  • Amazon Customer

    Thoroughly enjoyed this book, at times very funny and also heat breaking , would highly recommend

  • Danielle Jackson

    Lovely insight into the amazing work and dedication of foster carers, saints in disguise!! Amazing story, thanks for sharing. Would highly recommend this read.

  • Victoria Coops

    I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book by Jan Garsden made me laugh and cry - actually never read a book so fast couldn't put it down. Very informative about the foster care system - obviously a very caring lady, the children she cared for were very lucky to be fostered by her and her family .

  • Nanette Olson

    Reading Jan Garsden’s book Part of the Family was most enlightening and a sheer joy. She is an amazing lady who not only writes with an ability to paint a picture with descriptive words, but also has a unique ability to handle disturbed children and win their confidence. I laughed, I cried, I didn’t want it to end.

  • Helen

    What an inspiring family the Garsden’s are to take on the demands of fostering. An insight into how badly run our care system is at times and the frustrations that go with it. Knowing how much care Jan, Peter and family put into fostering those children who have been so badly let down by their own families, makes you have nothing but admiration for them. A truly good read with much laughter, tears and the frustrations that go with fostering. Children should be cherished and nurtured, which is what the Garsden’s tried to do in the time they fostered, despite the numerous challenges put in their way.

  • lanie m

    Jan Garsden is such an inspiration to others . Her family have dedicated years to support children who have needed both sort and longer term foster placements. This book is a great short read it has so many stories which feel like they have been written from the heart. You won't put it down once you start to read it and you will laugh and cry along the way. Thankyou Jan for taking time to write your first book and share your experiences with others.

  • Mrs S H M Hutt

    I read this book whilst on holiday and just didn’t want to put it down. It’s funny, moving and so many other emotions. Having fostered myself I can honestly say how true it is. It portrays how difficult fostering can be, yet at the same time so rewarding and what a privilege it is to be part of these children’s lives.

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