Foster care; offering brighter futures for children and young people With over 1000 children in care in Surrey, Surrey County Council are always looking for more people to open up their homes and lives
Now, I work as Children's Rights Apprentice for Surrey County Council. I love my job supporting children and young people in care, I wouldn't change it for the world.
All Pictures courttesy of Ted(20 Palmer Megan years www.phototed.co.uk old) At first I was so scared. I was 15 years old and worried that I wouldn't get along with my foster carers. Honestly it was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. But after a few weeks I started to settle in and then everything was perfect. to some of the most vulnerable children in the county. People from all backgrounds are welcomed, including those willing to take in older children and teenagers, helping them move into adulthood and achieve their potential. Like Lewis and Megan. Lewis (21 years old) My early childhood consisted of neglect and physical abuse. So when I came into foster care aged 11, I had no idea how to keep myself clean. My teeth were really bad and I was behind at school. Food was always an issue and my brother and I often had to steal from the local shop in order to eat.
Now, five years on, I have my own place and a full time job. I want to be a social worker, so I m busy looking into courses. My foster family are still very much part of my life. I speak to them every week, spend Christmases with them and call them up if I need to have a moan about something. They are always there for me! They re my family now, no words can express how thankful I am for them and what they did for me. If you re interested in helping children like Lewis or Megan, call our team today on 0800 096 9626 or visit surreycc.gov.uk/fostering
My foster carers were lovely and gave me a real sense of self-worth. They provided me with boundaries that I hadn t had before, giving me the stability I needed to settle away from my birth family.
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