“Fostering has allowed us to have our own family.” Foster carers Ricardo and Bradleigh explain what fostering means to them after winning a fostering award for South Essex.
“Fostering has allowed us to have our own family.” Foster carers Ricardo and Bradleigh explain what fostering means to them after winning a fostering award for South Essex.
Dedicated foster parents from South Essex have been recognised at a special awards ceremony for their hard work caring for the most vulnerable children across the county.
Ricardo Timms and Bradleigh Rogers from Stanford Le Hope were awarded ‘Outstanding Contribution to the South Quadrant’ for their commitment in caring for children who have experienced trauma.
Bradleigh said: “We’ve both worked with children throughout our careers but fostering has allowed us in some way to start our own family whilst also helping those who need it.”
Ricardo and Bradleigh have been fostering for two years and in that short space of time have shown commitment in trying to understand their young child’s needs to the best of their ability and have worked as a team to give them a sense of belonging. They are open to advice and support from the fostering service and have been able to provide their young person with a safe, family environment.
Ricardo said: “It’s wonderful to have been given this award, but we wouldn’t be able to foster without the support of the fostering service and the kids that we’ve looked after, so this is for them as well as for us.”
There are over 1,000 children in care in Essex and this number has been increasing for the past two years. In addition, the rate of children leaving care has slowed down, bringing into sharp focus the need to recruit more foster carers for children of all ages, siblings, and children with disabilities.
Cllr Beverley Egan, Essex County Council's Cabinet Member for Children's Services and Early Years, said: “We are delighted to have been able to host this awards ceremony recognising the tremendous work our foster carers do in the county. We’ve heard how rewarding fostering can be and the difference foster carers make to the lives of young people.
“With the support of Essex County Council, we are helping foster carers enable our young people to thrive and to prepare them for independent living. We encourage anyone considering fostering to contact us and to find out more.”
Bradleigh and Ricardo want to encourage people thinking about fostering to give Essex County Council a call or go to an information event to find out more information.
Ricardo said: “Fostering is one of the most rewarding jobs we’ve ever done. When your young people come to you not knowing how to hold a fork at the table and seeing them grow each week is so wonderful. You help them on their way, from knowing next to nothing to becoming independent and that’s what we enjoy seeing the most.”
Find out more by visiting: https://www.essexadoptionandfostering.co.uk/fostering.
The phone line is also open: 0800 801 530.
Pop along to one of our online events and find out more about fostering or visit: How to become a foster carer).