Page 20 - link magazine

20 The Link Maqazine • March 2000

North Swindon map Foster carers praised
advertising space for often unrecognised work

available The Mayor of Swindon coun. Joy Brunt paid tribute to the hard work and care given by Swindon's small,
valiant band of foster carers at a reception on 3 February.
updated with all the latest
At the launch of a campaign to to provide foster homes for chil- months, long term care for several
roads and local facilities ... recruit foster families, she said that dren and young people aged 0 to months or years, or respite care for
absolutely essential for their efforts, sometimes working 18 years old. a few days in a month. There are
anybody living, working, with difficult children, helps the Anyone can apply to foster, also specialist schemes for children
council's social services depart- though those with certain criminal with disabilities and placements
visiting or delivering to the
ment fulfil its legal duties. "Their records cannot be considered. for children who have more chal-
north Swindon development.
loyal and sometimes undervalued People do not have to be mar- lenging behaviour.
For details of sizes and efforts have my sincere admira- ried, working, wealthy, home own- Foster carers receive initial train-
prices, call Jenni Fowler on tion." ing or belong to any particular re- ing before being approved and
Swindon social services depart- ligion or race. ongoing training whilst fostering.
(01793) 872531
ment is trying to find more people Children need foster care for a There is also support from family
number of reasons: family crisis, placement workers, social work-
relationship difficulties between ers and other foster carers.
ACER Do you have a special child and parents, abuse. For information about fostering,
occasion to go to? Fostering can be short term call the Social Services Family
CARE SERVICES placements for a few weeks or Placement Team on 465700.
(Part of Wiltshire & Swindon
Health Care NHS Trust) ^ bns
„^. ahat (or al
h NA Hatter
Cheerful, caring T e a
team workers You need a hat, but you
required don't like wearing them?
to support people Are you one of those ladies who
eel they don't look right in a hat?
in West Swindon with
learning disabilities in I can offer advice on colour,
style and how to wear a hat so
all aspects of daily that you not only look great, but
living, both at home feel confident and comfortable
and in the community MEET THE MAD HATTER
for a personal appointment
Earn from £4.95 - £5.30 per to look at her new The Mayor with four West Swindon foster mums, from left,
hour plus enhancements SPRING AND SUMMER HATS Hugette Potten, Val Sawford, Val Wells, Sandra Hazeldine
Call Christine Phillips Take your time and choose in ugette Potten, from Grange bed; a social worker might have to
privacy. Just telephone HPark, responded to a televi- remove a child from a family, or a
on (01793) 491027 sion advertisement for foster car- boy or girl has run away and we're
(01793)704005
for further details ers seven years ago and thought asked to go to the police station
or 0410 298790
she would be looking after young- and bring them home.
sters for a few weeks at a time. But "The children have got into my
A 2 Z Home Improvements a boy stayed with her and her hus- system. If you can provide some
band for six years and now lives in stability, love and care and help
All your needs in one number residential care for young people break the vicious cycle of depriva-
tion, it might just be possible that
with severe learning difficulties.
Kitchen/Bathroom fi tting, Tiling, Plumbing, Electrics, "My husband and I don't have they can find a different approach
Painting, Decorating, Carpentry and much more children, so the young man be- to life. Some respond, others wori t.
come our son," she said. "We now But it's worth it to show that some-
111 Pinehurst Road Tel: (01793) 692340 visit him twice a month and speak body cares for them."
Swindon Mobile: (0378) 207977
on the telephone three or four times
al Sawford, from Toothill
a week. The social services are V looked after a fifteen year old
appointing me as his advocate so
T SERVICE* that I can talk to him and speak on who became pregnant whilst in
his behalf whenever decisions her care. "Obviously it was diffi-
cult for all of us, but we were able
For all types of central heating about his future have to be made. to give her support and she asked
"It makes fostering worthwhile
me to be with her at the birth.
and plumbing repairs if you can help a child make some- She's since married and had a sec-
thing of him or herself. Otherwise,
where would that child be if he or ond child who I see quite often."
System updates & new controls, New showers & fitted bathrooms
she had to stay in a residential What does it take to foster?
All types of wall and floor tiling home in their younger days" "You need a lot of patience, toler-
For quality workmanship from a local andra Hazeldine from Grange ance, and strength of character to
follow through a decision with a
established company contact S Park is well known to children youngster, but you have to be flex-
at Toothill School where she was a
Brian Jenkins teacher for many years. She's cared ible as well," said Yvonne. "There's
01793 725454 for thirty children over the last no rosy glow about fostering, but
it is very rewarding and we would
nine years. "Sometimes we're
Mobile: 0798 9102703 called to provide an emergency all encourage more people to con-
tact social services."