10 new foster carers urgently needed across the borough
A NEW campaign has been launched to boost the number of foster carers in the borough.
And figureheads for it are a couple who have been there, seen it and got the T-shirt.
Wokingham Borough Council says it wants people tomake the life-changing decision to become foster families, with new carers urgently needed for children in the borough.
Matt and Natasha Lee are one couple who became foster carers last year. The borough has 64 in total, but urgently need another 10 to come forward.
Matt and Natasha balance fostering alongside their commitment to their three sons.
They say it has had its challenging times but describe it as a joyous experience: “Fostering is something that we had talked about for many years.
“We knew the time would have to be right to make it work for everyone, so started our fostering journey in January last year and haven’t looked back since.
“Within a few days of being approved as foster carers, we had a young boy placed with us for a few weeks of respite care and, shortly after this, had siblings of seven and two years of age placed in our care.
“After six months with us now, it would be a lie to say that it’s all been plain sailing or easy, but we never expected it to be.
“Fostering throws up challenges the same as anything in life and at times can be emotionally tiring, but how the whole extended family have dealt with those challenges and overcome them gives the most positive feeling imaginable.”
The experience has seen growth not only for the young people in their care, but also Matt and Natasha’s own children.
“The development we’ve seen with the children, including our own, in all respects is the greatest achievement of all and is something we’re all proud to be part of,” they added.
“We had imagined fostering to be many things and, over a year down the line, are so glad we took that step to make a difference to someone’s life.”
The borough councilwants to reach out to would-be foster carers for children including teenagers, siblings, and asylum seekers and children with disabilities who desperately need foster carers in the borough.
Cllr UllaKarin Clark, executive member for children’s services, said: “Becoming a foster carer is open to a broad range of people andwhat’smost important is being able to provide a safe and loving home for the young people in our care,“
“Get in touch with our team to find out about the possibilities of starting the journey to become a brilliant foster family while getting paid as well as access to a host of other benefits and training.”
To find out more, call Jackie Ross on 0118 974 6204, email fostering@wokingham. gov.uk or visit fostering.wokingham.gov.uk