Couple awarded Foster Carers of Distinction after 23 years’ service

Couple awarded Foster Carers of Distinction after 23 years’ service

16 May 2018

A DOWNPATRICK foster couple have received an award for 23 years of dedicated service.

Lynda and Joe McLeigh were named ‘Foster Carers of Distinction’ at the Foster Carer of the Year awards that took place at Belfast’s Hilton Hotel on Saturday.

The awards were hosted by the Fostering Network in partnership with the Regional Adoption and Fostering Service.

Lynda and Joe have worked tirelessly to provide a safe and loving home for 11 children over the years. Speaking after receiving her award, a delighted Lynda said she hoped to encourage others to foster.

“I was a registered child minder when the Trust rang me 23 years ago and said they knew a wee girl who needed an emergency placement for six weeks,” she said. “That is how it all started. We had to go to foster training.”

Lynda acknowledged that some may be put off fostering at the thought of a lengthy or intrusive decision making process. However, she said she wanted to reassure people that it was not that daunting.

“They just want to make sure you know what you are getting in to,” she said. “They would not just put anyone through the regime.

“The Trust give you courses, all the back-up you need. They are on the other side of a phone 24 hours a day. I have never had any bother but they are always there for you 100 per cent.”

Lynda and Joe have two children of her own — Sarah (24) and Christopher (21) — who have never known anything different to their specially extended family.

And bubbly Lynda clearly loves all the comings and goings in her own “mad picture” of a house.

“There was one period when they were younger when we didn’t have anyone else with us,” said Lynda. “But we were brokenhearted. The house was so quiet.”

The McLeighs currently have Dylan (20) and Tasha (7) living with them and regularly keep in touch with other foster children who have since set up their own homes.

One is Mark, who Lynda fondly calls her “big son”, and to whom she sent pictures of her potential award night outfits for his approval.

“When Mark left it broke my son’s heart,” she said. “Mark was a big brother to him.

“Some of the children we fostered are living in Belfast now. The majority we see all the time.”

Lynda said that when children arrive in a new foster home they can be “struggling” with life but that it shouldn’t put off those who think they can make a difference.

“You have to be open,” she said. “Have a massive heart. I just say, if you are thinking about doing it — do it.

“Once you have that child for a day or two you will fight the corner for that child.

They could be coming with a lot of problems and will need a lot of love and loyalty to build trust in a warm and loving home.”

Social worker Oonagh McClean, who nominated the McLeigh’s for their award, explained why she put them forward.

“They are an exceptional couple who give their all to the children currently in their care,” she said.

Kathleen Toner, director of the Fostering Network in Northern Ireland, added: “It was a real pleasure to meet Lynda and Joe and to hear about the real difference they are making to children’s lives. Their commitment to support children in foster care is inspirational.”