Celebrating foster carers

Celebrating foster carers

15 January 2025

THE dedication of foster carers in the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust area was celebrated by local school choirs at an annual Christmas event.

The musical talents and voices of the choirs of Assumption Grammar School in Ballynahinch and Millennium Integrated Primary School near Saintfield greeted foster carers at their annual Christmas coffee morning at Temple Golf Club.

A festive celebration of chat and connection ensued as the sounds and classical strings of Christmas carols filled the air.

Faith, who as been a foster career for over ten years describes fostering as “the most satisfying, rewarding role you could ever do.” 

 “The child I have came to me when my biological son was only a baby, so they have grown up together. They have a fantastic relationship and it just makes me so proud,” she said.

 Faith explained that to anyone who may be considering opening up their home and becoming a foster carer, she would “highly recommend it”.

 “If you have ever thought about it, make the enquiries, ask the questions. You can make a difference to a child’s life. You become part of this child’s story and I’m so proud of the children that have come into my life, of their each and every story.”

 Foster carer Gary Peters shared how the child he has become a foster carer to was two when he arrived and is now 14.

 “For me, personally, you get so much back. He is such a wonderful boy. At the moment he is doing his GCSEs and he is doing brilliantly. He is in is Scouts and he is in his football.

“Coming to the foster carer mornings is always a good time to catch up with people. It’s a big help for us to get together and I think, for me, is essential,” he said.

 Principal social worker Sarah Moore said it was “lovely” to bring all of the Trust’s foster carers together. 

“For us, this is a way to show how much we appreciate them and value everything that they do for us. If it wasn’t for them and all their hard work, our children wouldn’t be lucky enough to be in safe and secure homes. Today is really about celebrating them.”

Sarah continued: “If you have ever considered becoming a foster carer please just contact us and ask us any questions you have and let us talk to you about how the process works. 

 “I can’t put into the words the difference you can make to a child’s life as a foster carer. You can transform their lives and you can give them a safe and secure home that they have never experienced before and the value of that can’t be put into words.” 

For more information on foster caring visit www.adoptionfostercare.hscni.net or telephone 0800 0720 137.