Central Bedfordshire foster carers get Royal recognition at Buckingham Palace
Thursday, 23 May 2019
‘Once-in-a-lifetime experience’ of being honoured for the work they do with an invitation to a Royal Garden Party and the chance to speak with His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales.
Every summer, The Queen hosts up to three Garden Parties at Buckingham Palace and on Wednesday May 15 Her Majesty was represented by Prince Charles.
The garden parties serve as a way for the Royal Family to meet people who have made a positive impact in their community and Sharon Daniel, Tina and Carl Rowlands and Stacey Petts and Simon Steele were all nominated by our fostering team for their work, caring for children.
Sharon, and her daughters Abigail and Chloe, are the current stars of our fostering video to raise awareness of Foster Care Fortnight, an annual UK awareness event. Sharon was nominated as she has made a significant positive impact on the life of a child who has had some challenging life experiences. The young person they care for is currently eight years old and Sharon and her daughters have made the commitment to care for him long term to support him through to adulthood.
Sharon said: “We all had the most amazing day. The whole day was just stunning. We saw Prince Charles and Camilla but then we got taken to a special place to meet Prince Charles, Camilla and Princess Anne where we shook their hands and chatted to them.”
Watch our video about Stacey and her partner Simon, who were the recipients of the Outstanding Contribution to Fostering prize at our Celebration of Fostering awards last year. They have cared for and supported four babies and pre-school aged children, who have each had their own specific or medical needs which the carers take on without any additional concerns.
Speaking of their experience at the Palace, Stacey said: "It was a fantastic day. A memory we will never forget."
Tina and Carl have cared for five children on a short-term basis with three of those young people now matched to stay with them on a long-term basis, through to adulthood, which has which has given the children the stability of a loving family life.
They said: "It was the most amazing day, a truly once-in-a-lifetime beautiful day. I never thought I would be shaking hands with our future king and his lady.
"The gardens were amazing and, once in full bloom, I bet are full of colour. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and we all embraced it in the good sprit of fostering. I felt, and still do feel, honoured to be flying the flag for Central Bedfordshire fostering."
Councillor Sue Clark, Executive Member for Families, Education and Children, said: "We were delighted to nominate Sharon, Stacey, Simon, Tina and Carl to attend the Royal Garden Party in recognition for their commitment to fostering.
"Like all foster carers, they do an amazing job for vulnerable children and we can’t thank them enough for giving young people the best possible start in life. Often, carers tell us that fostering is a reward in itself, but to get invited to Buckingham Palace and hear the appreciation of Prince Charles and Princess Anne is a tremendous honour and it will be a memory they’ll never forget.
"We’d encourage anyone considering fostering to get in touch and find out more about fostering. You could be that special someone to change the future of a child in need."