Finding calm amid the challenges

How Maya’s weekly group is supporting foster carers in Telford

Life as a foster carer is incredibly rewarding, but it can also be incredibly demanding. You’re not just caring for a child or young person; you're holding space for their trauma, behaviours, and emotions, all while juggling the ups and downs of your own life. It’s a lot.

That’s exactly why Maya, a Supervising Social Worker at Nexus Fostering, has launched something a little different, and deeply needed, for our foster carers in Telford.

For the past six weeks, Maya has been running a weekly mediation and nervous system calming group, designed to give carers a dedicated space to pause, breathe, and reset.

“We’ve had five carers join at different times,” Maya says. “Each person comes in with their own stresses — their own story — and they leave a little lighter, a little calmer.”

Why Calming the Nervous System Matters

Stress is part of being human and part of being a carer. Our nervous system is designed to react to perceived threats: increased heart rate, tension, fear, frustration. These responses are natural, even protective.

But, as Maya explains, the trouble often comes in two key areas:

1. We attach to the story around our stress.

“Let’s say a child is being uncooperative. Our stress response kicks in. The brain labels them as a threat and suddenly the internal narrative shifts to: ‘This child is a nightmare. Something’s wrong with them.’”

That story creates resentment, blame, and disconnection; both from the child, and from ourselves.

2. We don’t know how to get back to baseline.

“If we stay in that activated state, our bodies can’t reset. That has real consequences, not just for our health, but for how we respond next time something challenging happens. We end up operating from survival, not wisdom.”

A Space for Vulnerability, Stillness, and Support

The weekly sessions are simple in structure but powerful in effect. Maya blends calming meditations, nervous system education, and practical tools for self-regulation. Carers are encouraged to be vulnerable, reflect without judgment, and build emotional resilience, together.

“Carers are dealing with their own life stresses; relationships, finances, health on top of supporting young people with complex needs. I wanted to give them a space to let go. To learn how to come back to calm so they can respond to their children with compassion, even in hard moments.”

The Impact So Far

Though still a small group, the impact has been meaningful. Carers report:

• Feeling more centred and grounded in day-to-day life

• Having more patience during challenging behaviours

• Greater self-awareness of their own emotional triggers

• A sense of community and connection with other carers

This isn’t just mindfulness, it’s a radical act of care. Not just for the young people in foster homes, but for the carers themselves.

Looking After Those Who Care

At Nexus Fostering, we know that supporting carers goes far beyond practical training. That’s why initiatives like Maya’s are so vital. When carers are well-supported, emotionally grounded, and mentally well, everyone benefits.

Because the truth is, calm is contagious. When carers feel safe and regulated, they’re better equipped to create that same safety for the young people in their homes.