Celebrating our longest serving foster carers of 40 years during Foster Care Fortnight

Together for Children, which delivers children's services on behalf of Sunderland City Council, has been celebrating Foster Care Fortnight (10 to 23 May 2021).

To mark the occasion, we recognised some of our longest standing foster carers - Colin and Linda Parkin and Pauline Metcalfe - who are celebrating an incredible four decades as foster carers.

The foster carers have looked after more than 250 children, including babies, teenagers and brothers and sisters, over the last 40 years.

Pauline, who lives in Sunderland, received the call telling her she'd been approved as a foster carer on her birthday in 1981. She tells us: "Fostering has been a really good experience for me and my family. I've always treated the children like one of the family and I'm still in touch with many of the children I've cared for who've either been adopted or gone into long-term care.

"Before the pandemic some of them visited me or we'd meet for meals out to catch up. Some of them now have children of their own. It's nice to have been able to see them move on in life.

"I first became interested in fostering when I was reading a copy of the local paper with my son, who was 11 at the time. I wanted to be a nanny as I'd always been interested in looking after children.  The newspaper article told you about children who needed to be fostered and my son said to me "mam, why don't you look after one of these children?" It really struck a chord with me and I wanted to help. It all took off from there really.

"I've fostered some children for long periods of times and some for less time, around a year. I've looked after only children as well as siblings and I've fostered around 60 children over the last 40 years."

Linda and Colin Parkin, who've been foster carers in Sunderland since April 1981, added: "We've really enjoyed being foster carers - we love having the children. It's very different now to when we first started, although the children are the same.

"Being foster carers is fantastic - we've loved them, seen them move on, broke our hearts when they do. There have been so many proud moments where we've seen children blossom.

"It's a lot of work and it's mad at times but we love it. We keep saying we're going to retire - but not just yet!"

During the coronavirus pandemic, we have been unable to host our usual events and activities for children and foster carers, many of which take place during Foster Care Fortnight.

Typically, our Fostering team would have invited all our longest serving foster carers - who are celebrating between five and 35 years' service - to a celebration event in recognition of their achievements and commitment.

Jill Colbert, Chief Executive at Together for Children, said: "While our celebrations might have been small, the achievements of our longest serving foster carers are mighty. Between them, Colin and Linda and Pauline have looked after more than 250 children and young people. During this time, they have provided unconditional love and nurture, and we're delighted to be celebrating this amazing achievement with them. I hope they can take a moment to reflect on the contribution they have made and the difference they have made to the lives of children in Sunderland.

"I'd also like to say a heartfelt thank you and congratulations to all of our incredible foster carers who are this year celebrating an important milestone in their fostering journey - be that five years or 35 years.

"The past year especially has come with many challenges and the dedication of all of our foster carers has been outstanding. I am grateful to each and every one of our foster carers and can't thank them enough for everything they do for children and young people in Sunderland."

Paul Moffatt, Chair of the Board at Together for Children, added: "Thank you to our foster carers for making our children a part of your home and being awesome foster parents. The work you do can sometimes feel thankless, but we on the Board and the Executive recognise that, without you, we couldn't do what we need to do for our most vulnerable children. Your commitment, dedication and loyalty to our children, particularly over the past year, has been outstanding."

Cllr Louise Farthing, Portfolio Holder for Children's Services, added: "Thank you so much to our foster carers - it takes special skills and qualities to be a foster carer and we really appreciate all you do to provide a loving home for the children you foster. I am sure your achievement will inspire others to follow in your footsteps and consider fostering in the future."

Foster Care Fortnight is celebrated throughout the UK and aims to raise awareness of foster care and highlights the need for more foster carers. In Sunderland, there are currently around 600 cared for children in the city, many of whom live with foster carers.

We currently support around 200 foster carers but are always looking to recruit more foster carers to ensure that all cared for children in Sunderland have a place to call home. There is a need for foster carers who can look after older children and brothers and sisters.

Foster carers come from all backgrounds and walks of life, but they all have one thing in common - they provide a real sense of family and belonging to the children and young people they care for.

Interested in becoming a foster carer? Read more about it here or give the Fostering team a call on 0191 561 2223.