The City of Wolverhampton Council's Fostering for Wolverhampton team recognised the service of their foster parents at the ‘For the Love of Fostering’ awards evening at Molineux Stadium last week.

Over 180 people attended the event, aimed at celebrating the city’s fantastic foster parents and recognising those earning long service awards.

Elaine Perks was commended for completing 10 years’ service and awards for 15 years' service were presented to Susan and Bill Collette, Denise and Stephen Sharp, Karen and Christopher Young and Dawn James.

Awards for 20 years’ service were handed to Linda Bristow while Taru and Parveen Bal, Cheryl Jackson and Kathleen Smith were commended for 30 years’ service. 

Meanwhile, Kathleen and Roy Shayler were thanked for an incredible 50 years’ service as foster parents for Wolverhampton.

There was also a special thank-you and commendations for the city’s retiring foster carers Dawn Duggan, Michelle and Anthony Bucknall, Pauline Wiggan, Lisa and Philip Mann, Kathleen Smith and Cheryl Jackson. 

The evening was opened by the Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Sandra Samuels OBE, and awards were presented by the council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Councillor Beverley Momenabadi.

Councillor Momenabadi said: “I was delighted to celebrate the amazing work that all our fantastic foster parents do in Wolverhampton. These are very special people, and it was great to have the opportunity to personally thank them for their efforts on behalf of our city's children and young people and listen to their inspirational stories.

"We are very lucky to have so many highly committed and dedicated residents in Wolverhampton who provide the best care for our most vulnerable children and young people, but we have more youngsters who are looking for a permanent foster home.

"I would urge anyone who has considered fostering to speak to our Fostering for Wolverhampton team to find out more about this life changing role.”

Fostering for Wolverhampton seek foster parents from a wide range of backgrounds, professions, and ethnic groups. Foster parents must live within a 20 mile radius of Wolverhampton, have a spare bedroom, and have room in their heart to look after our most vulnerable children and young people. 

The fostering process can take as little as 16 weeks and all foster parents will receive specialist support and training as well as a regular, tax exempt fee and allowance to cover the cost of bringing up the child. Fees and allowances start from £383 to £440 per week depending on the child’s age. 

Around the clock help and support is available for foster carers, with a ‘buddy system’ in place from experienced foster parents to help newcomers along their fostering journey. 

People can find out more about fostering by visiting Fostering for Wolverhampton or calling the Fostering for Wolverhampton team on 01902 551133.