Bristol couple urge others to become foster parents

A foster carer who has looked after scores of children has called for others to think follow suit.

Bev Green and husband Ron have been taking in youngsters for 15 years at the their home in south Bristol.

Some have stayed a days, others years. Many keep in touch and return to visit with their own children.

Bev, aged 58, said: "The children I look after call me Nanny and the older ones call me Aunty and they all call Ron dad, not grandad."

The couple, who used to run a shop, said they had always looked after children informally, while their two older daughters, now in their 40s, were growing up.

"Our house has never been empty of children," said Bev. "We saw an advert on TV about fostering and thought it sounded like what we were doing, only more official."

Bev and Ron began by taking children younger than their youngest daughter, who is now 22. As the years went by, they fostered babies, children and teenagers – mostly boys.

"The youngest placement we had was just 12 hours old," said Bev. "An emergency placement can be anything from two weeks to three years."

The couple work closely with their charges' birth parents.

"It is important for the children," said Bev. "If they see you are getting on well with their birth family, it helps them to settle. You can't stand in judgement. You just get on with it and do the best you can for the children."

The couple have had a busy Christmas, distributing presents to their five grandchildren and various foster grandchildren.

They are also always trying to recruit more foster carers, especially from the black community.

"If there is anybody out there who is got some time and some loving to give, I urge them to come and join us," said Bev.

"There are a lot of kids who just need someone to be there for them.

"Fostering can be hard and emotional but it is also very, very rewarding."

Bristol is hoping to recruit 30 new foster carers in 2009.

The city has 250 foster carers, looking after 556 children.

City council deputy leader Peter Hammond said: "Foster carers are often the unsung heroes of our communities.

"They can really make a difference to a child's life by providing a warm and secure home for as long as needed.

"Bristol has 16 teenagers who have been fostered studying at degree level and children in care gained their best ever GCSE results this year. None of this would have been possible without the care and dedication provided by foster carers.

"We always need more foster carers in Bristol. Those honoured by these awards illustrate what a rewarding experience it can be and I would like to thank them all for their contribution to society."

Angela Hawkes has fostered for 24 years, caring for more than 60 children. Her children include emergency, respite, pre-adoption, short and long term placements.

She said: "I've raised my own four children alongside my foster children and it has been a positive experience for all of them.

"The support has always been there from the council."

For information about becoming a foster carer call 954 8545. The team is particularly keen to hear from people who can care for teenagers, disabled children or can take long-term placements. Training and an allowance is available.