These words were among the tributes paid by children and young people in foster care across East Sussex to the carers who provide them with love, a family and a home.
At a special awards event foster carers from across the county have been thanked by the County Council, and the young people they care for, for their dedication and commitment to young people.
TV and radio celebrity, Mike Read, was the guest presenter at the 2008 Foster Carer Awards ceremony which was held at the Cavendish Hotel in Eastbourne on Friday last week (26 September).
More than 180 foster carers and staff attended the event which is one of a number held during the year by the Fostering Service to recognise the dedication and commitment of those who look after children in care in East Sussex.
As well as full-time foster carers, the event was also for people who help young people through the county’s Children’s Disability Short Break and Fostering service.
East Sussex County Council’s Lead Cabinet Member for Children and Families, Councillor Meg Stroude, and the County Council’s Director of Children’s Services, Matt Dunkley also attended.
In this year’s Foster Carer Awards there were seven main award winners and 57 additional awards for carers who had been nominated by the children they have cared for. Some were able to attend the evening, others unfortunately could not.
Main winners
Outstanding Carer of the Year Award
- Mark and Maria Wells from Bexhill
Fostering Newcomers Award
- Pauline and David Grey from Bexhill
Long Service Award (30 years)
- Ann and Denis Holder from Rotherfield
Very Long Service Award (46 years)
- Joan and Peter Rhodes from Newhaven
East Sussex Foster Care Association Award
- Andrew and Denise Clark from Forest Row
Short Break & Fostering Service – Carers of the Year
- Jane, Paul, George and Matt Butler from Hailsham
- Sue and Cliff Harrison from Beckley, near Rye
Retirement awards
- Jean and Mike Twohig (Short break carers) from Rodmell, Lewes
- Lorna and Hugh Coppin (Short break carers) from Lewes.
Councillor Meg Stroude said: “This is a great event every year. Our foster carers devote so much time and love to the children they care for and this is just our way of saying thank you. All our foster carers deserve thanks and praise but every year I’m always touched by the nominations from the young people themselves. It’s in their words that you see how important the role of the foster carers really is.”
In addition to the main winners, 57 other carers, not all of whom could attend the evening, picked up awards after being nominated by the children they have cared for.
Below are some other excerpts from nomination letters sent by the children:
“They have stuck by me even when I wasn’t the easiest child to look after and have done their best for me. I don’t think anyone could get better foster parents”
“When I first came here it felt like wow! I had never felt so much at home than I did here.”
“My foster carer is special because she looks after me and helps me live my day to day life. At home I feel safe and happy.”
“They are special to me because they have helped me through some really rough patches of my life when no-one else did.”
“They care about me and make a fuss of me when I need it. They are the best ever.”
“They put up with a lot and it must be such hard work!”
“I have been welcomed and accepted as part of the family. I have had many difficulties in my life but she has helped me overcome these and bring me forward to a better and happier life. I love her with all my heart and always will do.”
“She is really nice and she is always happy, cheerful and caring. She is really special because she believes in us”
Notes to editors
Recently rated as “outstanding” by Ofsted, the East Sussex Fostering Service currently looks after more than 360 children. It has more than 250 foster carers and is always on the look out for more – particularly those who might be interested in looking after older children aged 10+ or brother and sister groups.
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