Trust Kinship Foster Carers praised for providing safe and loving homes
The South Eastern Trust hosted a special appreciation event for Kinship Foster Carers at the picturesque Starfish Café in Bangor, bringing Carers together for a morning of connection, conversation and support.
The event, held as part of Kinship Foster Care Celebration Week, offered Carers the opportunity to meet others with shared experiences, enjoy freshly brewed tea and coffee and reflect on the vital role they play in providing safe and loving homes for children.
Vicky Allen who has been a Kinship Foster Carer for four years, shared how much she had enjoyed the morning. She said: “Becoming a Kinship Foster Carer has been a really good experience for me. At the start, it was a bit scary but I would say to anyone who is
“The Fostering Network Team and my South Eastern Trust Fostering Social Worker Shawneen, have been so helpful, they are invaluable.”
Gary and Daria Gates from Neurodiversity Spark, an organisation that helps understand neuro-divergence in real working environments and works to embed inclusion in ways that are realistic and sustainable, shared their thoughts at the event.
Reflecting on her journey, Vicky added: “It has changed me as a person. It has helped me understand so much more about Neurodiversity. The coffee morning has been great and it is a chance to meet other Carers who are in the same position, to share information and a chance to meet people.
“You are talking to people who are living being a Kinship Foster Carer and understanding it. For me, it is so worth doing.”
South Eastern HSC Trust, Principal Social Worker, Sarah Moore, explained how the coffee morning formed part of their Kinship Foster Care Celebration Week.
She said: “This is a chance for us to celebrate everything our Kinship Foster Carers do and to show our appreciation for the incredible difference they make to children’s lives.
“It also gives Carers the opportunity to access support from Neurodiversity Spark and learn more about training and development opportunities within the Fostering Service.”
Sarah added, “We would be lost without our Kinship Foster Carers. If it was not for them, many children would not have the safe and loving homes that they do. It is so important that we bring Carers together when we can.
“They share a unique experience and having the chance to connect, learn and support one another is invaluable.”
