“Make a real difference this Foster Care Fortnight,” says Bath foster carer
12.05.10
Radstock foster carer, Louise Medding, is issuing an appeal to people across Bath to consider a career in foster care this Foster Care Fortnight.*
Louise has been fostering with leading independent fostering agency, Pathway Care, since last summer and since then has provided respite care to a small baby and is currently caring for 14 year-old Gemma.**
Gemma has been staying with 35 year-old Louise and her husband Matthew, 39, since September last year and has not looked back since.
When Gemma first arrived at the Meddings’ she had low self esteem and had attachment issues. Louise worked with Gemma by attending therapy and remission sessions with her and they regularly take part in mother and daughter activities.
Louise said: “We go shopping together and to the cinema but it’s nice to just catch up with her at home. Just the other day I was painting my nails and Gemma sat down beside me and started to paint hers. Small moments like that can make such a difference to these youngsters.”
Now Gemma is much more independent and has settled well into family life, even taking to calling Louise and Matthew Mum and Dad.
Louise and Matthew have three children of their own; 13 year-old twins, Jake and Tom and four- year-old Sophia. While Louise admits that it’s important to consider the effect a foster child can have on a family, she believes that having a family around can really help a child settle into a new home.
Louise said: “Gemma is fantastic with Sophia and she gets on well with the boys. Of course they bicker at times but this is encouraging because it’s what most siblings do and we’ve been trying to give Gemma as stable and as normal an environment as possible.”
With over 600 vulnerable children and young people in the region needing foster care support, Louise is hoping her positive experiences caring for vulnerable youngsters will encourage others to consider a role in foster care.
Foster care is a challenging role but it is not without its rewards. Louise has seen a sharp improvement in Gemma’s school-work since she has been staying with her and Matthew and they’ve also seen Gemma flourish socially.
She added: “Gemma had moved schools quite a lot before coming to us, but we’re delighted with how well she has settled in now. We met with one of her teachers recently and it was a great feeling to be told by them that Gemma is a fantastic student and is doing well.
“Gemma had such low self-confidence when she came to us; it’s been heart-warming seeing her make good friends and developing a social life outside of school.”
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.
Martin added: “People are increasingly realising the benefits a career in foster care can offer such as flexible working and a competitive salary. Foster carers come from all backgrounds and cultures and include couples with or without children, single people, divorced people and lone parents. We’re welcoming people across 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
