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Merseyside foster carers
take home national award for 50 years of dedication to fostering
2 foster carers from West Derby,
Merseyside who have fostered more than 60 children during 50 years of being
foster carers have been presented with a Long Service Award at the annual
FosterTalk Foster Carer Awards in London on Wednesday, 28 October 2015.
Helen and Eddie Brown were among ten winners from across the UK who were
recognised for their dedication to fostering. The awards were presented by
acclaimed poet Lemn Sissay MBE, who has experienced time in care, and
comedian, writer and adoptee Rhona Cameron at the event held at the London
Marriott Hotel in Grosvenor Square.
FosterTalk is a service that was set up to provide nationwide specialist
independent support to foster carers in areas including legal and financial
advice and counselling. The awards were launched last year to mark the 10th
Anniversary of the service.
Helen and Eddie, who are foster carers with Sefton Council, were nominated
by their supervising social worker Vivienne Taylor for their exceptional
commitment to caring for more than 60 children and young people in Sefton
over 50 years. Vivienne explains:- "They have always been
non judgmental, open and honest with their approach and always take into
account the children that are already placed in their care. They care very
much for the children they look after, many of which have lived with them
into adulthood." Helen added:- "It is a privilege to
win this award but more so to be able to care for these children as they
bring so much fun and laughter into my life. They have also taught us by
enriching our understanding of what their lives were like. This made us and
our birth children more giving, and also more willing to embrace other
people's needs and feelings."
Cllr John Joseph Kelly, Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and
Safeguarding, said:- "Everyone at Sefton Council are absolutely
delighted that Helen and Eddie have been recognised for their service to
fostering. Completing 50 years of service in any role is a significant
achievement but even more so as foster carers, and it demonstrates their
unwavering commitment to providing a home to many children and young people
in need. We are lucky to have a fantastic group of foster carers in Sefton
and we hope to celebrate even more long service awards in the future."
Melody Douglas, managing director of FosterTalk, comments:- "We work
with foster carers on a daily basis and are proud to be able to recognise
the positive impact they make on the lives of others through these awards.
The FosterTalk Awards are a fantastic example of fostering at its finest and
we really hope that Helen and Eddie's award will inspire more people in
Merseyside to consider becoming foster carers."
The event was also supported by broadcaster David Akinsanya who was in care
himself and talked openly to the audience about his experiences in the care
system.
Currently FosterTalk helps more than 30,000 foster carers nationwide, working
alongside over 125 fostering services in the support of their foster carers.
For more information about FosterTalk and its membership support for foster
carers throughout the UK, please visit:-
FosterTalk.Org
or phone them on:- 01527 836910.
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