Eighteen years. Twenty-two children. Countless moments that changed a life – not just the lives of the children she’s cared for, but her own too. In this edition of our Journey of Hearts series, we meet Caoimhe Mannix, a foster carer with Origins Foster Care whose story is filled with both compassion and conviction.
Caoimhe’s foster care journey is more than a number. It’s 18 years of showing up – through the easy days and the impossibly hard ones. “I’m fostering 18 years in October. I’ve had 22 children through the house in those years,” she says simply, but it’s clear: every single child left a mark.
She’s cared for children in both long-term and short-term placements, and what keeps her going is exactly what you would think. “What motivates me?," she ponders, "...the kids. The kids, watching the kids smile, watching them achieve.”
Some of the most moving moments come from the smallest victories. Caoimhe recalls one child in particular:
He couldn’t even read his own name. He was a seven-year-old. I had bought him the name plate for his bedroom door, and when I handed it to him, he told me it said ‘Do Not Disturb'.
That same boy? Just a few weeks later, he was getting full marks in spelling tests. That's what motivates Caoimhe to keep on fostering: “It was just watching that drive, watching that process happen and being a part of it… He did all that work. I facilitated it. He did it.”
At Origins, we are upfront when we say that fostering is rewarding, but it can also have its challenges. But Caoimhe’s seen what’s possible when a child feels safe and supported. “That’s what makes the hard days worth it.” She speaks with the calm wisdom of someone who’s weathered a lot and still believes in the power of showing up.
If you’re thinking about fostering, Caoimhe’s story is a reminder that it’s not about perfection. It’s about presence. “You just keep going.”
If you’ve been thinking about fostering, but you’re not sure where to begin, start with a conversation. At Origins Foster Care, we provide 24/7 support, trauma-informed training, and dedicated Link Workers who are with you every step of the way.
→ Learn more about becoming a foster carer
→ Read more stories like Caoimhe’s on the Origins blog
→ When you're ready, you can apply to become a foster carer online
Reach out for any questions and enquiries. A member of our fostering team will get back to you as soon as possible.
