A FOSTER mum who helped guide a young boy from low self-worth to a grammar school and potentially Cambridge University is sharing her story.

Tina Papworth said she has been rejuvenated by fostering children in Southend and helping them go onto better lives.

The 52-year-old has been fostering children and young adults for the past nine years, saying it’s been “the best decision she ever made”.

Ms Papworth has shared her story during Foster Care Fortnight, a national awareness campaign by the Fostering Network, running until May 23, with Southend Council’s Fostering Service searching for much-needed heroes to become foster carers.

Ms Papworth said: “My family and I were born to do this; we always try to be charitable and help where we can. We care passionately about our planet and we want to help make a better world which starts with protecting our children – nothing is more important for the future than the children of the world.”

Family - Tina Papworth and her foster family in Southend

Family - Tina Papworth and her foster family in Southend

Now aged 16, the boy has secured a conditional place at a sixth form grammar school and wants to study at Cambridge University to become a physicist.

This transformation would not have been possible without Ms Papworth’s care and compassion.

For many, becoming a foster carer is seen as their life calling and is literally life changing - as was the case for Jo Twyman, 40, who has been a short-term carer for four years.

Jo said: “I’d always dreamed of being a foster carer and I feel I have found my life’s purpose. It has made me whole.

“I care because each child deserves to feel safe and loved. So many people say: ‘oh I couldn’t do what you do – it would break my heart to let them go’.

“This makes it sound like it doesn’t break my heart but, I can assure you, it does. But I would choose to have my heart broken a thousand times over rather than a baby or child not to have the opportunity to feel safe and loved.”

Debbie Kelly, 51, has been fostering for six years as a single carer and has placed children aged two to teenagers as well as providing respite care for babies.

Mum - Debbie Kelly with daughter Grace Kelly

Mum - Debbie Kelly with daughter Grace Kelly

Debbie said: “My experience of working with the council’s fostering team has been one of close community support from other foster carers and the social workers.

“Southend fostering is forward thinking and open to the newest research around therapeutic care. There are also excellent support groups run by a senior mental health practitioner.

“I care because these children need you to be their safe base, their hope and their steppingstone to a bright future.

“I get to do all the fun things again, like watch school plays, read stories, take swimming, be silly and dance and play. Fostering definitely keeps me young and it’s an honour to be part of a child’s life.”

Supportive - Jo Twyman

Supportive - Jo Twyman

More than 65,000 children live with almost 55,000 foster families across the UK each day. This is nearly 80 per cent of the 83,000 children in care away from home on any one day in the UK.

Every year thousands of new foster families are needed to meet the demand. There is a particular need for carers of sibling groups, children with disabilities, child and parent placements and those for older teenagers.

Susan Benson, team manager of Southend Council’s fostering service, said: “As a service we are committed to offering high quality care to our children who cannot remain in their parents’ care due to many reasons – some children need alternative care for a short period, others need looking after until they are ready for independence.

“We need more heroes to take on this vital role. Fostering can be a career and it is possible to earn a fee alongside an allowance to cover the child/young person’s costs.

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“There is substantial support in place for foster carers including training, a dedicated social worker, peer support groups and a senior mental health practitioner who is linked to the service. What is clear from listening to the experiences of foster carers is that fostering can be challenging but it is equally enjoyable and rewarding!”

The team will be holding a Meet the Team day this Saturday and then Saturday May 22 from 10am to 2pm at the Beach Hut located on the walkway behind Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Shoebury seafront.

The team will be offering advice and support, in a Covid safe manner, to anybody considering a career as a foster carer.

For more information call 01702 212938, email fostering@southend.gov.uk or visit www.southend.gov.uk/fostering