Children in the Albury and Wodonga region are missing out the stability of a permanent home with foster care provider, Anglicare, calling on more local people to consider becoming carers.
“While we care for children of all ages from birth to 18 years, we find that it is usually school-age children that we struggle the most to find carers for,” says Sharon Tooney, Coordinator for Anglicare’s Out of Home Care service in Albury. “A lot of people think they can’t be carers because they don’t match the typical idea of a foster carer, but this simply isn’t true.”
Anglicare will run training sessions next month, and encourage people who may have considered themselves to be ineligible to be carers to consider attending. This includes people who live in a rental property, are single, are younger, are older, or are part of the LGBTQI+ community.
“We know that children do better when they have a stable home rather than being moved between temporary arrangements. Anglicare needs people who have a genuine heart to see children cared for and thriving to consider becoming carers,” says Sharon Tooney.
Bridget and her husband have been a long-term foster carers with Anglicare for over 8 years. “The child we care for has a disability, and she’s loved and nurtured; she’s stable and secure. She’s going to have the same opportunities that any other child would have, which makes us so happy,” says Bridget. “Anglicare have been incredible. They support you in any way you need supporting.”
Over the past year, 2,848 children nationally have been placed in care. Over 40 percent will spend over 5 years in care.
Anglicare foster carer information sessions will be held on Wednesday 13 November at 2:30pm-3:30pm or 7pm-8pm at St Monica’s Primary School Wodonga, 137 Brockley Street, Wodonga, Victoria, 3690
For more information and to RSVP please visit the Anglicare Riverina Facebook Page, alternatively you can call or text 0417 424 620