Foster carers thanked for impact on lives of children

Foster carers thanked for impact on lives of children

22 May 2024

BALLYNAHINCH’S stunning Montalto estate was the venue for a recent event to thank foster carers from across the South Eastern Trust area for everything they do.

The event kicked off the organisation’s Foster Care Fortnight and provided the health trust with an opportunity to show appreciation for the unwavering dedication and support of foster carers across the district.

One of them, Isobel Graham, described fostering as special and said “you get to love them and they love you back. Anybody thinking of fostering I would say go for it, it is worth it and so rewarding. It changes your life”.

The Montalto event brought together foster carers and health trust staff in a beautiful setting to celebrate their vital contributions and to share their experiences and connect with one another in a relaxed and supportive environment.

And during the coffee morning, Isobel and Ruth Clarke shared their inspiring journeys, highlighting the profound impact fostering has had on their lives and the lives of the children they care for.

Isobel and her husband started their fostering journey in 2019.  

They currently have two boys, one of whom they have adopted and the second boy whom they foster. 

“Unfortunately, we were unable to have children of our own and we really wanted them in our lives, there is so much you can give; you don’t have to be blood relatives,” said Isobel.

“A friend went through the fostering process, so we decided we would give fostering a go. We undertook the training and three years later, we have two lovely boys.

“The assessment process is long, but it is definitely worth it. We decided we wanted short-term fostering and fell in love with both boys and everything they do is a special moment for us.”

Ruth and her husband embarked on their initial fostering journey with a view of adopting.  They have two children of their own and have fostered five children so far.  

“We put ourselves forward for short-term fostering for young children aged 0-2 years.  It is a complete joy to have them in our home and it is so special to be the ‘treasure-keeper’ of their memories. You get to enjoy all their early-year experiences,” she continued.

“It is such a privilege to help them grow and thrive and to see them transition to their forever home. It is knowing you have played a part in that and help support them from the moment they were born.”

Ruth added: “All children deserve a loving family home. Not every child is able to have that through various circumstances, to be able to provide that experience to children is so vital.  

“We try to support the child’s birth family, it is lovely to see them grow together and a new family emerge from that is so special. Don’t rule out the prospect of fostering, if there is a seed there, explore it, it is such a rewarding experience.”

Acknowledging the importance of foster carers, Nuala Hanna, the health trust’s head of service, fostering and adoption, said foster care fortnight is an opportunity to celebrate and say ‘thank you’ to dedicated foster carers. 

“The coffee morning is an opportunity to acknowledge the wonderful work that they do,” she said.

“Within Northern Ireland, the number of Looked After Children continues to rise year on year.  We need to have foster carers who can offer these children security and stability while their care plan is being processed.”

Nuala said anyone thinking about fostering should go online or speak to a social worker. 

She added: “There are many different types of foster care that will suit the needs of people and their family, these include emergency foster care, short breaks, short-term, long-term and supported lodgings. 

“From my experience over the last 30 years as a social worker and speaking to foster carers, they get so much from fostering and seeing the positive outcomes of looking after children and setting them up for the future by providing them with a safe, stable home environment with love and nurture to allow them to develop into mature self-sufficient adults.”

Anyone interested in fostering is asked to get in touch via adoptionandfostercare.hscni.net or telephone 0800 0720 137.