Croydon Council celebrated foster carers from across the borough for the work they do caring for vulnerable children and young people, at a special event in Fairfield Halls.
Foster carers help care for children of all ages, from young babies through to teenagers, young adults, children with disabilities, young parents and their babies and unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.
Pearl Earl, from Purley, received a milestone award for more than 10 years of foster caring. She said: “I saw the difference in getting involved in the lives of children who needed support and how life-changing that could be for them. So I decided I wanted to try to do what I could.”
Sandra Arnold, from Addington, received a milestone award for her 15 years of service. She said: “It’s been the best experience and it’s nice to know that you can actually do something for children. All you need to get involved is the ability to care and the want to look after children.”
Councillor Lynne Hale, Croydon’s Deputy Mayor, and Councillor Maria Gatland, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, attended the event on 23 November.
Councillor Hale said: “I was delighted to recognise the passion foster carers have for looking after young people. It was so important to celebrate all of our foster carers, whether they have been doing this for one year or 25. The care, support and encouragement they give to our young people is amazing and we truly can’t thank them enough.”
“I would like to thank our foster carers for the work they do to encourage, support and keep our young people safe. Our foster carers are a vital part of our communities, who go above and beyond to help children and young people who cannot live with their own families. It’s a privilege to work with them in making Croydon a safer and healthier place to live for us all.”
Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon
Find out more about foster caring in Croydon on the council website.
