“Make a real difference this Foster Care Fortnight” says Plymouth Foster Carer
10.05.10
Plymouth foster carer, Glenda Burke, is issuing an appeal to people across the city and throughout Devon to consider a career in foster care this Foster Care Fortnight*.
Glenda has been fostering for six and a half years but more recently has been working with leading independent fostering agency, Pathway Care. Throughout her time as a foster carer, Glenda has provided respite care to two children and full-time care for a young boy.
Glenda is now the primary carer of two siblings, Josh**, 12 and Sarah**, 14 with the support of her partner Peter. The youngsters have been staying with 54 year-old Glenda and Peter, 68, for nearly two years and have not looked back since.
With over 600 vulnerable children and young people in the region needing foster care support, Glenda and Peter are hoping their positive experiences caring for vulnerable youngsters will encourage others to consider a role in foster care.
When Josh and Sarah first arrived with Glenda and Peter they were both suffering with low self esteem and were very shy. Glenda, a former factory worker and Peter, a retired aircraft fitter, worked closely with the siblings and identified confidence and team building activities that would help them develop.
Glenda said: “Josh and Sarah are fantastic young people and we worked hard to bring them out of their shells. It transpires that they’re both active individuals and they’re now heavily involved in a host of extra-curricular activities.
“Sarah adores art and dance, she attends classes in both, and Josh will try his hand at any sport from mountain biking, to basketball, to cricket.”
Josh and Sarah have developed considerably with the support of Glenda and Peter, regularly taking part in activities as a family.
Glenda added: “We wanted Josh and Sarah to know there’s very much a place for them within our family. We often go sailing which is a great activity in this respect, it brings us all together, each with a different role but everyone has to work as a team. We often go on walks along the moors and this is also a good opportunity to spend time with them outside of the house.”
The youngsters are now much more confident, settling well into family and school life and both have managed to make good friends.
Foster care is a challenging role but it is not without its rewards. Glenda has seen a marked improvement in Josh and Sarah’s behaviour since they’ve been staying with her and Peter.
She added: “The best feeling you can get as a foster carer is when people who haven’t seen Josh and Sarah for a while, comment on how well they’ve progressed. They’re both very well-mannered and I’m proud of how they act in public, these are the rewards you can expect as a dedicated foster carer.
“They had such low self-confidence when they came to us; it’s been heart-warming seeing them make the effort to talk to other people when it used be quite challenging for them.”
Glenda and Peter have one grown-up daughter of their own and three grandchildren aged three, seven and ten. Glenda believes that having the three youngsters around also helped develop Josh and Sarah’s confidence.
Glenda said: “Our grandchildren were so interested in and keen to meet Josh and Sarah and they get on very well together. Sarah even calls them her sisters, it’s been great to be able to integrate them into a strong family set-up.
“Of course, you don’t need to have children or grandchildren of your own to be a good foster carer, it takes patience and a real desire to want a make difference to the life of a child that really needs help.”
According to Pathway Care, fostering is challenging and not suited to everyone but for the right kind of person it can be hugely rewarding. The main reason for becoming a foster carer says the agency should always be a passion to help vulnerable children and young people to build a better future.
Martin Leitch, Pathway Care’s south west regional director, said: “Foster Care Fortnight is a vital reminder that children and young people in care are missing out on family life and the support and care that so many of us take for granted.
“So many of our youngsters are in care through no fault of their own. They’re pigeon-holed as troublesome or problematic, but so often they’ve had a very difficult start to life, they’re usually very scared and lacking in self-belief.
“People are increasingly realising the benefits a career in foster care can offer such as flexible working and a competitive income. Foster carers come from all backgrounds and cultures and include couples with or without children, single and divorced people, and lone parents. We’re welcoming people across Devon and the south west who are existing foster carers or those who are considering becoming foster carers and think they have what to it takes to provide a loving and supportive home to those who really need one.”
A career in foster care offers many benefits including competitive rates of pay and flexible working. For more information about fostering please contact Pathway Care on tel: 0871 226 3760; or visit the website at www.pathwaycare.com
