Shortage of foster carers

Critical need in Geelong to help children

A DEDICATED carer is backing a campaign to address the critical need for foster carers in Geelong.

Matt Colman and partner Nigel Holloway registered as a MacKillop Family Services foster carer five years ago.

The couple has cared for dozens of mainly primary school aged children who have often been exposed to family illness, trauma or family violence.

The pair own and operate Hamlyn Heights cafe Eddy and Wills and will next week launch a new campaign Bring out their best: Be a foster carer in conjunction with MacKillop Family Services.

“It was Nigel who first got me thinking about being a foster carer,” Mr Colman said.

“He works with kids and through his work knew that there was a need for foster carers. We don’t have kids ourselves and we wanted to be able to make a difference.”

The pair have mainly taken on respite cases — meaning they provide weekend or weekly support to more permanent carers. While business commitments have prevented the couple from taking on as many foster children as they would like, they are supporting MacKillop in other ways.

The cafe is currently running a promotional program distributing takeaway coffee cups printed with information about foster caring.

“We’ve only had children for short periods and still you see such a difference you can make in such a short time — the children can really come out of their shell,” Mr Colman said.

“It takes different times for different kids and as a foster carer you need to have really good support from your partner.”

Care and recruitment coordinator Carly Grandy said the campaign was part of a renewed push to find foster carers to help hundreds of local children in need of support.

“We have a critical shortage of foster carers throughout Australia,” Ms Grandy said.

“We are searching for carers for children of all ages — from babies to 17-year-olds.

“Children can enter care for a variety of reasons — they may come into care on their own or with their siblings. Many have experienced difficult circumstances.”

The free information session will run from 3-5pm on Thursday at Eddy and Wills cafe.

“We have a critical shortage of foster carers throughout Australia. We are searching for carers for children of all ages — from babies to 17-year-olds.” CARE AND RECRUITMENT CO- ORDINATOR CARLY GRANDY