How to build a support network

[ThesebeautifulthingsthatIvegot]

I would like to foster in the future. However, it really worries me that I do not have much of a support network where I live, nor would I easily gain one by moving. I am a fairly introverted person, and a full time teacher, so I don't socialise a lot. I am part of groups etc. but at the moment, if I have an emergency, I only have a few people I would feel comfortable calling on, and they don't live all that close.

How do you build a support network? Family isn't an option (good relationships, but a small family, and due to ill-health my mum wouldn't be able to support).

I'm a foster carer and a former teacher too. I foster 2 disabled DC. I've found the DC joining disability sports groups has been good for making friends. If I hear someone can't get to a match and needs a lift I always offer to collect them, take them and drop them back home. Others also seem to do this. I've also had DC's friends over for the day reasonably frequently and DC gets invited back. If I needed one or both of them cared for on a day over the weekend I think I'd feel confident their friends'families would take them for me. I have an adult DC who lives locally and so it's likely he'd come over and look after them both for me. It's important you help the DC you foster make friends.

If you do go down the fostering route have a look for an agency that uses the Mockingbird model. It offers a sort of satellite support system of other fostering families. I wouldn't say it replaces an external support network but it does offer more structured support from other fostering families.

I really appreciate the responses. Thank you. I would like to build up some support outside of fostering first, but it's good to know there are ways to build it further. I have heard of the Mockingbird model and it seems like a great system. It worries me that not being very outgoing could be the reason for the small network I have here, but I know that if it's important, I'll just have to put myself out there more.