‘IT’S WONDERFUL TO GIVE CHILDREN ANOTHER CHANCE’

Siblings say their placement with a couple from Moston 11 years ago gave them the security and stability I t’s Foster Care fortnight and more foster parents are needed to give youngsters a good home. Here some of the young people, and those that care for

MARY-MAY Moakes, 19, was just five when she and her brother Chris, 21, were put into care.

Mary says she had a difficult first foster place- ment but when, with Chris, they were placed with foster carers Julie and Paul Edwards in Moston 11 years ago, it gave them the security and stability they needed.

Mary is now at Edge Hill University training to become a teacher and Chris is in his final of a degree in dance and performing arts.

Mary said: “I first went into care when I was very little and it was a really difficult time.

“My brother and I were at our first foster placement for about 18 months and that wasn’t great either.

“We were never made to feel part of the family and we both struggled with it.

“Having an older brother really helped. He really looked after me.

“Before we were placed with my current foster parents, he would get me ready for school in the morning and would make sure I had eaten.

“When we moved in with Julie and Paul he found it hard to let go of being responsible for me.

“They had to encourage him to let go and allow himself to be child himself.

“Julie and Paul have been great. We can tell them anything and without them we probably would not have got myself to university.

‘The best thing we ever did was become foster carers’

“I don’t have any contact with my mum now.

“One of my younger sisters lives round the corner so that worked out well but I would like the chance to be a big sister to my other siblings.

“It really helped having an older brother, and we both know we’ll always be there for each other.”

Julie Edwards and her husband Paul, from Moston, have been foster carers to Mary and Chris for 11 years.

Julie, who is also chairwoman of the Manchester Foster Care Association and fosters through Manchester council, said: “Mary and Chris were the first young people we fostered.

“Like all foster kids they had their problems when they first came here and it took them a couple of years to settle in.

“They kept thinking they were going to be uprooted and moved again.

“When you foster young people, no matter how many times you tell them it’s not their fault, they will still think it is.

“It’s very hard for them to not feel like it’s their fault that they’re in care and it takes a long time for them to come to terms with it.

“I remember Chris didn’t like telling people that he was in care when he was younger and we had to keep telling him that it is nothing to be ashamed of.

“They have both done brilliantly and it’s all down to them. We just tried to encourage them to try new things and build their confidence as much as possible.

“Even small things like going swimming or trying sport can really build their confidence.

“We had another child Tom with Mary and Chris and together they all got on really well.

“Now we’re getting older we only do shortterm placements. You do get attached and you do get that empty nest feeling when they move on to their next home.

“But it’s wonderful to give children the care, consistency and stability they need at that time.

“The difference you can see in the kids is unbelievable.

“Just them knowing that they’re going to be fed when they’re hungry and given nice new clothes has a massive impact.

“The best thing we ever did was become foster carers.”