Page 9 - link magazine

FOR WOMEN 9
Calling Nannies You too could foster a child
A tiny notice in the last Link brought "I'm divorced, I couldn't foster."
forward several nannies working in "We're not married. We couldn't foster"
the area. Other nannies who would These statements are not necessarily true, but they are illustrate some of
like to know more about a support the misconceptions that people have about fostering. As Mike Thomas,
group should contact Sally on 872074. Fostering andAdoption Officer from Wiltshire's Social Services Department
describes, fostering is no longer like it used to be. LADIES
There are many ways of helping There is also an increasing need to
Infants under within the community and fostering is find families for Afro-Cambean and HIRE OR PURCHASE
Asian children of all ages; for both
surveillance one them. HATS, GLOVES, BAGS,
Fostering has undergone many long-term and short-term placements. JEWELLERY
A survey to improve child health and changes in the last few years. The We positively welcome applications (ALL TO MATCH)
investigate the causes of infant death days when fostering was purely about from black and Asian families.
is being launched on 1 September by caring for very young children are no Do you think you and your family FOR ALL OCCASIONS
the Swindon Health Authority. longer with us. The majority of the could help? If you would like to find Weddings, Cocktail-Parties
Every baby born in the twelve children who need homes today are out more, please contact me Mike Funerals, etc.
months after 1 September will bepart older and also want to stay in contact Thomas, Fostering and Adoption Demonstrations in your home
of the survey according to research with their parents. Indeed, this is very Section, Wiltshire County Council,
worker Jan Long of the Swindon important for them and is something Social Services Divisional Office, at special request. Telephone
Health Promotion Unit. "The aim is we ask foster carers to encourage. Clarence House, Clarence Street Suzanne on 541094
to see if there is alink between growth Today's foster carers are not just Swindon. Tel: 31131 ext. 222
rates and health. Half the babies will volunteers. They do a job that at
receive the high quality of care given times can be difficult and demanding,
by Health Visitors and the parents of but is also rewarding. They also SUIP]arzi
the other half will receive a special come from a variety of backgrounds
growth chart on which detailed in- and we welcome interest from people
formation about the baby's weight who are divorced, unemployed, the natural way to
will be recorded. single, couples who are not married,
"The Health Visitors will explain as well as families. feminine beauty
how the survey works and all we ask Fostering can be undertaken on a zahrza
is that parents keep good care of the long term and on a short term basis
health records and to have the baby and although the task of fostering is
weighed at the specified times. changing, the qualities that make Sugaring is the ancient art of hair removal by its roots for a
"Family doctors, health visitors people good foster carers are many long lasting effect and much finer, more sparse re-growth.
and hospital staff are all part of the and varied. These include a sense of Half Legs £5.50
Bikini Line £3.50
monitoring programme and we will humour, an interest in and a concern Prices:
Under Arms £2.50
be keeping parents closely involved. for children, an ability to see through Top Lip £2.00
"By keepingadose eye on a child's difficulties with support, offering a lot Other prices on request
growth rate we hope to be able to and expecting little and, recognizing Qualified Sugaring Practioner: Tracy Bedwell
spot any health problems early on." the value of small rewards.
Information about the Infant Sur- With the changing nature of the 11 Goidsborough Close, Eastleaze, West Swindon
veillance Project will be available in task, it is important to emphasise that Telephone (0793) 870931
doctors surgeries and clinics from foster carers are not to be left alone to
leaflets or Health Visitors. handle things. As well as initial train-
ing, we hope to offer foster corers FOSTER PARENTS ARE NEEDED FOR
continuing support, both through
New seat belts laws group meetings and individual visits.
A new law came into force on 1 Sep- In many respects the support and MANY CHILDREN OF DIFFERENT
tember requiring children to use rear advice offered by other foster carers AGES AND BACKGROUNDS.
seat belts in cars, if fitted. is invaluable as, after all, they are
Vehicles registered after April1987 CAN YOUR FAMILY HELP?
must have rear seat belts fitted. The also doing the same work and facing
the same concerns.
law does not apply to registerations
before this date, but all cars used The recent relaunch of our
since 1982 must have rear seat belt scheme to provide older adolescents
anchorage points. with foster care puts even greater
Where there are seat belts avail- stress on the training and the support
able, they must used. If there are that foster parents need to be able
carry out the task with confidence.
more children than seat belts, they
can all be carried legally so long as all Trouble and Strife Womens
the available seat belts are used. Theatre Company present
The Swindon Seat Belt Centre at NEXT TO YOU ILIE,
the Station Industrial Estate supplies a bold, provocative piece of
and fits child safety restraints. They theatre about pornography and
can also provide advice on the best
types of equipment as well as a free the 'glamour' industry and their
check to all Link readers. Their tele- effect. Saturday 23 September
phone number is 613147. Link Arts Studio 8.00p.m.

Trim-In living. This will not only allow
Most of us have tried to lose weight members to lose weight, but also go
at some time and most of us don't some way to protect them from some
find it easy, says Health Visitor Janet of the diet related diseases such as
Asherson. Dieting often fails because coronary heart disease and strokes.
people get bored with what they are Do you feel you'd like to take To find out more,
eating and they lose motivation. control of your eating, your weight
The TRIM-IN course aims to help and your futurehealth? lf you would contact Mike Thomas
people overcome some of the com- like more information, or a place on
mon problems they experience when the course, contact Janet Asherson at at the Fostering & Adoption Section,
frying to lose weight. Toothill Clinic, Tel 642133. Social Services Department
ep
TRIM-IN is a 10 week course avail- TRIM-IN starts Wednesday 6 Sep-
able to a maximum of 12 people. The tember tember I.30-2.30p.m. in the Small Clarence House, Clarence Street,
focus will be to help people learn Meeting Room in the Community Swindon. Tel: 31131
about healthier ways of eating and Suite at the Link. Cost 50p per week.