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Nottinghamshire foster carer recognised for 40 years in “very rewarding” role

Jackie from Mansfield, a Nottinghamshire foster carer since 1982, described her 40 years of fostering experience as “very rewarding.”

Jackie was presented with her long service award alongside ten other foster carers, who have each given between 5 and 40 years of caring for the county’s children, and between them have devoted an incredible total of 208 years of care to children in Nottinghamshire. 

The awards ceremony, hosted at County Hall, saw the long-serving foster carers presented with flowers and certificates in recognition of the life-changing work they have done with children in Nottinghamshire before enjoying lunch with members and the children’s services team. 

During her years as a foster carer, Jackie has fostered over 40 children. She said: 

“As a foster carer of 40 years, I have found it very rewarding, as well as very challenging at times. Knowing I make a vital difference to a child’s life is the main reason I do this job. 

“I have also made life-long friends and when I receive pictures and cards from children who I once fostered who are all grown up it makes me so happy that I was able to make such an impact on their life.”

Lyn, who received an award for 33 years fostering alongside Shelley, both from Arnold, said:

“We keep doing it for the kids. There are always children who need a bed and a loving home, whether that is for an hour, a day, a month, or years. If we can help them in any way, that’s what we want to do.”

Shelley added: “I like to see them smile and grow. When they arrive so frightened and you can help them start smiling, it is so rewarding.”

Lynn and husband Roger, from Bassetlaw, retired from fostering in 2021 after 37 years. They said: 

“We got into fostering because we used to babysit for a fostering couple. After we had our own two birth children, we began to think about what it would be like if they ever had to go into care. We started fostering and it became a way of life. We took mostly long-term foster placements, and they really did become part of the family.

"No matter how long we have fostered for, there was always something we could learn from the children and young people we care for."

Councillor Tracey Taylor, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People said:

“I am privileged to be the lead member for the children’s service and to have joined the celebrations for our long-serving foster carers. 

“Our foster carers do an amazing job of looking after the county’s most vulnerable children and these awards are a way of saying thank you. We cannot thank you enough for what you do for the children and young people of this county.

“We always need more people to take on the challenging and rewarding task of fostering. There are lots of different ways to foster, including part time and respite care options as well as full-time fostering, so speak to our friendly team to find out how fostering could fit into your life.”

Nottinghamshire County Council urgently needs more foster carers for children of all ages and would love to hear from people who can offer loving homes to local children.

For more information about visit www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/fostering

Questions about fostering can be answered by Nottinghamshire County Council’s friendly fostering recruitment team. Reach them via email at fostering@nottscc.gov.uk or call0115 804 4440.

Or why not come along to an online or in person information event? Details can be found online at www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/care/fostering/events. The next virtual event will be held Wednesday 13 July at 11am.

ENDS