A Derby couple and their foster son have spent 17 years supporting unaccompanied asylum-seeking children in search of a better life. Derby man Alan Whitehurst and his wife, Helen, who’s from Eritrea, met while working in the Middle East more than 20 years ago.

They are now supporting their fourth long-term foster child, 18-year-old Aki, also Eritrean, who is with them on a "staying put" agreement. Aki fled his home country in 2021 at 14 years old to avoid mandatory national service and was lucky to survive the journey.

He said: “You can be shot or put in prison for trying to leave the country, so many people risk their lives to leave. I had to leave my parents behind, which was heartbreaking and I haven’t seen them since.

"A lot of people like me leave Eritrea in search of a safer life. For young people in particular, there aren’t many opportunities to get a good education or jobs, and there are lots of restrictions on movement. Everyone is forced to join the army, with only a very few exceptions.”

When the Whitehursts started fostering in 2008, they were open to fostering children from any background of all ages, from babies to teenagers, but have mostly cared for Eritrean children. Alan said: “It was actually our fostering agency Fosterplus who suggested we support Eritrean children, thinking our British-Eritrean household would help them blend into life here and learn the language and culture.”

Through Alan and Helen, Aki now has an extended family, including the Whitehursts’ four children - one of whom "wants him to stay forever" - and his foster siblings who are now living safe and happy lives around the UK as adults after leaving foster care. Busy family life has always been the norm for Helen, who is one of nine children herself and used to work as a nanny before she discovered fostering.

Speaking four languages fluently - English, Arabic, Ethiopia’s first language Amharric and her and Aki’s native Tigrinya - Helen uses her maternal nature, language skills, and first-hand experience of life in Eritrea to support her foster children, all of whom stay in touch with the Whitehursts long after leaving. Helen said: “I come from a big family where everyone is always welcome, that’s just how we do things. Our house is always full.

“Our own children always introduce our foster children like they’re their own siblings, which is so special. Aki comes to collect our youngest from school sometimes and he’s the first one she runs to! Most of the time I completely forget that I’m fostering. All of the children we’ve fostered have just become part of our family and it’s still like that now they’re independent.

“All of our foster children have been through so much. They have all endured incredible hardship to get here - from boats sinking in the sea to losing loved ones and having no contact with relatives. We know why they’re coming, it’s heartbreaking.”

Starting a new life in the UK hasn’t been easy for any of the Whitehurst’s foster children, but they have provided them with love, support and a wider family network to ease the transition. Initially, Aki was hesitant about joining a foster family, but after meeting Helen and Alan once, he realised they were a great match. He added: “Everything with Helen and Alan has been perfect - they are a really loving and welcoming couple.

“It’s been really nice to have that shared culture with Helen, who can speak my home language, Tigrinya, with me, and to learn so much from Alan, who has helped me to improve my English and learn more about life in the UK.”

Aki will continue to live with the Whitehursts while he prepares for adulthood in the UK. He’s at college working on maths and English alongside a carpentry and joinery qualification.