Inspirational foster mum Nic helped teen turn life around
WOMAN PRAISES SUPPORT SHE RECEIVED FROM ONE OF THE COUNTY COUNCIL’S SPECIALISTS WHEN AGED 15
A woman has praised a foster mum she had as a teen, whom she credits with turning her life around after many troubled years in the system.
Now 20, the woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, said living with foster carer Nic O’Neill at the age of 15 helped her battle long-term emotional and mental health issues.
Nic, from Loughborough, was “inspirational” her former foster daughter said, for providing the intensive and dedicated care that transformed her life.
She said: “Shortly before I moved to Nic’s house I spent a year over three admissions in an adolescent psychiatric hospital.
“I just can’t seem to justify with words quite how amazing Nic is.
“How she stuck by me through some really trying times. How she guided but didn’t coerce me. How my opinions always seemed to matter.
“She listened to me, listened and adjusted conversation to help me realise ideas and concepts that my teenage mind perhaps wouldn’t have realised.”
Nic is one of Leicestershire County Council’s One2One foster carers, offering full-time support to people from the age of 12 with complex emotional and behavioural issues.
The woman said: “She taught me how to be strong, she taught me that you always have yourself, if nobody else.
“There were times when I’d just want to be alone, untouched and quiet.
“Nic recognised that. She worked out what I needed without asking me, which perhaps seems easy, but I was a very troubled teenager.
“Even I didn’t know who I was, but Nic helped me to find myself.”
As well as teaching her about everyday essentials, the former foster child praised her carer for taking care of her medical needs, too.
She said: “She taught me practical things, too – how to work the washing machine, oven, assemble items.
“She provided me with everything
I needed without making me feel embarrassed or like a burden.
“Because of the nature of my medical issues, I had a stupendous amount of appointments and meetings that Nic helped me with to decide things that I wanted to address.
“There really are so many things that I could mention. How I felt so welcome and settled. How, amazingly, while doing everything that I have mentioned and a huge amount more, we created a wonderful bond that we still have now.
“I just wanted to say thank you to Nic, for helping me become the person I am today, and for giving me the best start into independence I could have asked for.
“Every child should have a Nic!” Leicestershire County Council said it is looking for carers to open their homes and their lives to vulnerable young people and offer the time and support to help them reach their full potential.
Nic said the feedback was “incredibly gratifying and validating”.
She said: “During the time she was with me it was complex and busy, with many professionals involved and many issues to help the her to address.
“She was a pleasure to have and has become part of the family.
“That has meant continuing to support her post-placement when she has struggled to get help from elsewhere. “I’m proud that I’ve been able to help her and to have watched her grow into amazing person and mum that she has become.”
Cabinet member for children and families, Councillor Deborah Taylor, said: “There are more than 600 children and young people in care in Leicestershire.
“Many of them need extra care and support to allow them to reach their full potential and find their place in the world.
“If you have the skills and experience needed to be a One2One Foster Carer, we’d love to hear from you.”
Anyone who is interested in finding out more or registering interest can do so at the council’s One2One Foster Carers page or by calling 0116 305 0505.
She taught me how to be strong, she taught me that you always have yourself
Fostered woman