A celebration of foster carers in Slough

Foster carers from across Slough were partying long into the night on Saturday as Slough Children’s Services Trust’s hosted its annual Foster Carer Dinner, Dance and Awards Ceremony, held at the Heathrow Windsor Marriott Hotel on Saturday. The awards are to celebrate the incredible work of foster carers and home from home carers across Slough in supporting children and young people.

Slough’s MP – Tan Dhesi – as well as the Mayor of Slough – Cllr Paul Sohal – both paid tribute to the work of foster carers and home from home carers, speaking passionately about their valuable contribution to society by welcoming vulnerable children into their families and offering them hope for a brighter future.

Five awards were presented to carers who had achieved five years’ service, one award for a couple who have achieved 15 years’ service, and one award for a carer that has achieved an incredible 25 years’ service. For a quarter of a century, Shahnaz Akhtar MBE has been opening up her home to children in need, while also encouraging many more people to come forward as foster carers.

Additionally there were five ‘outstanding contribution’ awards presented to foster carers who, in the Trust’s view, had gone ‘above and beyond’.

‘Our foster carers across do a magnificent job, helping to ensure that every child can be safe, secure and successful, and we are delighted to be able to celebrate them here,’ said Jackie Pape, Head of the Family Placement Service at the Trust. ‘Foster carers are very special people, with big hearts, and these awards are just our small way of saying thank you.’

‘It is great to have occasions like this to be able to thank foster carers for all they do for children and young people in Slough,’ said Cllr Paul Sohal. ‘Their kindness and generosity means many young people will have brighter days and more hope for the future.’

‘Foster carers deserve all the glitz and glamour of these awards,’ said Tan Dhesi. ‘The fact that so many people have joined them to help them celebrate what they do shows how special they are. What foster carers do for the community in Slough is incredible.

If you would like to consider opening up your home to a child in need, then contact the Slough Children’s Services Trust to find out more? For a friendly chat, call 01753 690777, or for more information email: foster@sloughchildrenfirst.co.uk.