A group of Flintshire foster carers have been honoured at an awards ceremony for dedicating many years to looking after children.
The Chairman of Flintshire County Council presented awards for five, 10, 15 and even 20 years of caring to 15 foster carers.
They included carers with children full time in their care and also those who provide respite, short breaks and carers who look after children in their extended family.
The foster carers attended with their families including their own children and foster children. Awards were presented using the words of the children and young people currently in their care. The children said:
“Everything is 1000%. I love them”
“I am happy where I am. They are great”
“They are nice and friendly. They treat me as part of a family”
“They are really nice and treat me good”
“They are kind and funny and always make me feel welcome”
“They are a good family to live with”
“I like it”
“I love everything the way it is”
“They are very nice”
“I am happy there”
The award for 20 years of caring was presented to Bill and Ann Wood. They have cared for over 100 children and still keep in touch with many of the children today.
Foster carers Ann and Bill Wood from Northop Hall were also recognised. Ann said: “I have always loved fostering. I wanted to do it since I was young. I love every part of it; the excitement when the phone goes, working with the children, making them feel like part of the family and even when they move on, seeing how much they have come on while they’ve been with us. It was a wonderful evening and we were really proud to get our trophy. If you’ve got room in your heart and home, you can get so much out of fostering, and there are lots of children needing love.”
Louise and Gordon Goodwin, from Mancot, received their award for 10 years fostering and attended the ceremony with their own three children Bethan, Rhianna and Robert and also Lucy who has been staying with them for short breaks for three years.
With a new campaign for foster carers launched in Flintshire, more local residents are needed to join these kind-hearted families who share their homes and hearts with local children who need their help. With two local children of all ages coming into Flintshire foster care almost every week, often with brothers and sisters and fewer and fewer places available, more foster carers are desperately needed.
Jill Jones, Flintshire Family Placement team, said: “It is a real pleasure to see the dedication of our foster carers recognised in this way. The positive change they make to the lives of children in their care is truly amazing.”
For more information call 01352 701000 or visit www.flintshire.gov.uk/foster
