Central Bedfordshire Council news and press releases

Celebration of Fostering honours Central Bedfordshire’s foster carers

Monday, 9 September 2024

We hosted our annual ‘Celebration of Fostering’ event last weekend, where 14 households were presented with long service awards to commemorate their contribution to fostering.

Photo of the award winners.

As well as providing a fun day out – with a children’s entertainer, giant inflatables and a soft play bus – the event was an opportunity for fostering families to connect and celebrate their collective achievements.

A highlight of the day was the recognition of several dedicated families. We presented long service awards to 14 households, collectively celebrating 125 years of fostering. Awards recognised milestones of 5, 10, and 15 years of dedicated service.

Among those who received awards were Diane and Andrew Saxby and Rob and Clair Sharman, who have both been fostering children for 5 years, and Leslie and Jacqueline Youngman who have been fostering for 10 years.

Councillor Steve Owen, our Executive Member for Children’s Services, said:

Foster carers play a crucial role in providing safe, loving homes for children who need them most. Their dedication ensures these children have stable environments where they can thrive. We’re pleased to honour their commitment through events like the Celebration of Fostering, which highlights the incredible impact of fostering families and allows us to express our gratitude for their work.

Find out how to become a foster carer.