Could 2019 be the year you become a foster parent?

Slough Children’s Services Trust is urging anyone who has ever considered becoming a foster parent to start looking into making it a reality for 2019.

There are many children in our local area in need of a safe and loving home and foster parents provide just that, with their impact often lasting a lifetime.

Slough Children’s Services Trust works with a number of fantastic foster parents but there is a real need for more people to come forward.

Teena Wilcock is part of the fostering team at the Trust:

“We often find people want to foster but think for some reason that they can’t do it. There are many misconceptions around fostering but things like marital status, sexuality, age etc are not barriers at all. The other thing that people often don’t realise is that foster carers are paid for the amazing work they do and given full training and support. The New Year is a great time for new beginnings and I’d encourage anyone interested to please find out more.”

Former childminder Mandy Foley, from Cippenham, has been fostering with Slough Children’s Services Trust for eight years:

“I didn’t realise I could foster as a single parent until I bumped into an old school friend who was fostering. I’ve now fostered 17 children over eight years, with placements ranging from one night to more than two years. Fostering is a job that makes you feel proud, it’s a real privilege to be a small part of these children’s lives.”

Sam and Des Cox are former business owners turned full-time foster parents:

“We have fostered over 20 young people, predominantly teenagers, and we are still in touch with some of them today. The best thing about fostering is being part of a young person’s small milestones. It is the most rewarding feeling in the world. Fostering for the trust is a positive experience as the trust is very supportive.”

There will be a fostering information evening on Thursday 24 January at Arbour Park, in Slough. Anyone interested in coming along or finding out more about becoming a foster carer should call 01753 690777 or email foster@sloughchildrenfirst.co.uk