To celebrate Foster Care Fortnight, the Regional Adoption and Fostering Service and the Southern Health and Social Care Trust co-hosted an event in the Canal Court Hotel in Newry on Thursday 15 May for foster carers.
Newry and Mourne foster carers Ellen and Tom Haugh and Ella Rafferty were recognised for their contribution to Fostering Services at the event. They are pictured with Martin McGrath, Head of Family Placement Services, and Mary McParland from the Family Placement Team at the Southern Trust
Arthur Kirwan, Recruitment Team Manager at the Southern Health and Social Care Trust, says: “Foster Care Fortnight recognises the central role foster carers play in providing stable, caring homes for vulnerable children and young people, and raises awareness of the need for more foster carers.
“Foster carers often tell us of their sense of joy and achievement when they see a child or young person in their care begin to make progress. This progress would not have been possible without the commitment, care and attention that foster carers give 24 hours per day.”
There is always a need for more foster carers and the Trust currently needs foster carers to provide stable and nurturing homes for teenagers and children with disabilities. The Trust is looking to recruit people who are patient, understanding, compassionate and flexible.
Students from the Hair and Beauty Academy were on hand to provide hair and nail treatments to foster carers across the Trust at the social and pampering event. Helen Allen, an independent consultant from House of Colour, hosted an entertaining and fun workshop on colour and style.
If you have time and space in your life for fostering call 0800 0720 137, your local fostering team on (028) 028 3083 2693 (Newry and Mourne area), 028 3833 7181 (Craigavon and Banbridge areas) or 028 8775 2033 (Armagh and Dungannon areas), or enquire online at www.adoptionandfostering.hscni.net
