13/05/04 - MBE foster carers retire after 22 years : Cumbria County Council

Earlier this week, dedicated foster carers Glenda and Allan Burton retire after 22 years of caring for children and young people in need. County Councillor John Mallinson, Cabinet spokesman for Care and Social Services presented the couple with a crystal bowl.

County Councillor John Mallinson says,

“Glenda and Allan have done a wonderful job in caring for more than 70 children and young people in need over the last 22 years. I am proud of their achievement and sad to see them leave us.

We have a dedicated and committed team of foster carers in Cumbria but we need more people to join their ranks. Foster carers have a vital role to play in helping children to thrive, giving them the best start in life. Anyone can apply to be a foster carer- regardless of gender, marital status, age and so on. We urge people to come forward and at least find out more.”

“We first got interested in fostering after seeing a recruitment advertising campaign. Our first placement was a baby awaiting adoption. It was really strange to go back to nappy changing after our own children had passed that stage. We’ve had all sorts of age groups since then. The last 22 years have been challenging but enjoyable. We have wonderful memories of the children we have cared for and the good friends we have made. It is sometimes difficult to let go but we feel that now is the right time to retire. I would urge anyone who thinks they can offer their time and their home to children in need to contact Social Services for more information about fostering and adoption.”

In 1999, Glenda was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours list for her commitment to fostering. She was also awarded an NVQ level 3 qualification in Caring for Children and Young People, showing her commitment to training and development. Burton’s fostering experiences have included caring for a child with a terminal illness and for a sibling group of three.

This week is the start of Foster Care Fortnight. Cumbria County Council is joining this UK wide campaign to highlight the shortage of foster carers to look after children in need in Cumbria. There is an urgent need for 20 new foster carers in the county and Cumbria’s Family Placement Teams are launching a new drive to encourage more people to consider becoming foster carers.

If you would like an informal chat, or an information pack, please call your local Family Placement Team on:

Carlisle (01228) 607078

Workington (01900) 325356

Kendal (01539) 773312

Barrow (01229) 894862

Alternatively you can check out their brand new fostering and adoption webpages on the Cumbria Social Services website.