More than 200 Reading children are in foster care through Brighter Futures for Children, the independent, not-for-profit company which runs children’s services on behalf of Reading Borough Council.
Local families are needed to help them live their best possible lives. In the first of a short series, we hear why it is so important for Reading children in care to be able to stay in their home town.
When 14-year-old Nick (all names has been changed to protect their identity) was told he would have to leave his home town of Reading to move to his new foster home he came up with an idea.
He wanted a permanent reminder in the town centre of all those children in care who, like him, had to move away from their friends and family.
In February 2020, Brighter Futures for Children worked with Reading Borough Council and Ethical Reading to plant an ornamental cherry tree outside Reading Town Hall to help Nick and others in his situation feel ‘rooted in Reading’ wherever their new foster home was.
The tree symbolises their Reading ‘roots’.
It is a permanent reminder to them of their home town and something they can always visit.
If there were more Reading-based foster carers it would be easier to ensure Reading children who are taken into care can be looked after in the borough.
Jade, who is now 17, considers herself to be fortunate because she has been able to stay in Reading since being taken into care aged nine.
She said: “I’m really lucky because I live with Angela, my foster carer, in Reading which means I’m close to my friends and family. Angela is a good foster carer and I still see my family lots.”
Jade is now a care leaver and is preparing to live independently but can continue to live with Angela until she is 21.
She said: “I’m really proud of how far I’ve come. When I was younger and first came into care, I was really shy. My foster carer helped me learn how to voice my opinions and understand what I wanted.
“I also used to be scared of speaking in public but now I’m not. I feel a lot more confident today.”
Jade is an example of the positive impact foster carers can have on young people’s lives.
Reading foster carer Rachel said: “Children who are in foster care experience so much change and loss in their lives. Helping them to remain in Reading means they can stay connected to friends, and makes things like staying at their school and having time with family members much easier.
“They need as much stability and security as we can provide – being rooted in Reading can really make a difference.”
To find out how you could keep a young person like Nick or Jade stay rooted in Reading, visit www.readingfostering.co.uk, call 0118 469 3020 or email foster@brighterfuturesforchildren.org
