A SINGLE foster parent is calling on Silhillians to help care for children and young people in need.
Mandy Lees started her fostering journey five years ago and has cared for two long term foster children and ten who stayed for respite.
After meeting a foster parent who took care of a child with special needs at the Brownie group she used to run Mandy was inspired to take up fostering.
The mum of two chose to care for those with additional needs as one of her children is autistic and has a lot of additional needs.
She said: “I thought I could understand how to care for someone with additional needs, explain things to them in a different way and help them work through the trauma they’ve faced and get them to a happy place.”
Mandy has provided respite care to two children from very different and difficult backgrounds but she has always strived to make their time with and after being with her better and happier.
While doing so, Mandy was able to facilitate a stable relationship between a pair of siblings who were both in care but placed in different homes which made her foster child incredibly happy.
Mandy’s best fostering moment has been watching her foster children grow. She said: “For me it’s seeing them happy, progressing, learning new things, having new experiences, and the opportunities to fulfil their dreams.”
Last year, Mandy transferred from the council to Fosterplus, a foster agency who pair up children in need with adults wanting to lend a helping hand.
Mandy said: “You may feel unprepared or unsure of yourself, but during such times you have to revert back to your training, talk to your social worker, and get the support you need.”
Fosterplus say it’s estimated that more than 100,000 children will be in care in the UK by 2025 and there is a huge shortage of foster parents in the south of England and throughout the rest of the UK.
