A dedicated foster couple among the first to be handed very special teddy bears to be given to children coming into their care have told how fostering has brought them joy.
Adele Lisle and Ian Scott, of Redcar, were the among the first in the Tees Valley to take part in a partnership with not-for-profit organisation Ted's Light which gives teddies to foster carers who take in younger children.
The council is also organising a special online recruitment day for people thinking about foster care which will be held on Thursday 25 February.
Ted's Light was established in memory of a little boy who lost his life and is backed by Tees Valley-based athlete Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson. The charity also provides night lights for the children to make the early days of not being at home less scary. Foster carers have given positive feedback, with one couple explaining two children have been cuddling the bears and taking them to bed every night.
Adele, a nurse, has been fostering with Ian for two years, has provided both short-term respite care and more longer term care for children. She said: “Something as simple as a teddy bear can make all the difference in the world, especially in that very early period."
She also recommended anyone who was considering foster care take part in the council's online recruitment event to find out more from people who are already fostering. She said: “I always wanted to be a foster carer, even from school days. I knew someone who was fostered and they were treated differently. I never thought it was fair.
“It's so much better these days and it is so rewarding and it can bring such joy. I won't say there aren't challenges – there certainly are – but the rewards are very real. For me, it's about seeing the changes in behaviour when they start to open up and trust you. The smiles are so rewarding and when you move them back home or to long term fostering, or when the school says they are settled and doing well, I feel a real sense of achievement. It can take time, but it is wonderful when it happens."
Ian, who doesn't have children of his own, said his role was like that of a 'funcle' (fun-uncle). He said: “I am very close to my nieces and nephews and so I knew that was something I could do, just let them have some fun and create some positive childhood memories for them. It's actually an important thing we can give them, along with reassurance and just letting them know they're safe. It is extremely rewarding at times but I'd advise anyone to find out all they can. The council gives good support and the recruitment event with other foster carers will be a very good way to find out the good – and the challenging side – of fostering."
Councillor Alison Barnes, Cabinet Member for Children, said: “This all about protecting our most vulnerable children and I would like to pay tribute to all our foster carers, just like Adele and Ian, who do amazing work. I'd also like to thank Ted's Light for providing the bears which can provide a little comfort and reassurance to children. I'd urge anyone who thinks they could provide a good foster home to find out more at our special online event. You could change a life."
To register for the online recruitment which will take place on Thursday 25 February go to https://redcarandclevelandfosteringevent.eventbrite.co.uk or email foster@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk
The council's specialist foster team has been given 20 teddys from Ted's Light but there's more ready and waiting to make the journey on the 'Ted Express' to Redcar & Cleveland. To find out about Ted's Light or to donate go to https://www.tedslight.com/