Central Bedfordshire Council news and press releases

Central Bedfordshire Council celebrates foster carers at Christmas

Monday, 12 December 2022

On 11 December 2022, foster carers from across Central Bedfordshire gathered at Shuttleworth House for a long service award ceremony organised by us, celebrating foster carers both old and new.

Goodson family

The event also was a thank you to all of the wonderful foster carers who open their doors to children in need - giving them a loving, safe place to live.

The Goodson family who attended the awards achieved 10 years of foster caring this year (pictured). Bobbie Goodson said:

There are so many children in need of a home, and 10 years ago, shortly after starting our own family, we made a commitment to giving other children the start in life they deserve. And we never looked back!

Our own sons, now 13 and 11, have grown up with fostering. On the days when life feels hectic, their enthusiasm for sharing their home with other children reminds us how rewarding this life can be.

Councillor Sue Clark, our Executive Member for Families, Education and Children, said:

I want to thank all of our amazing foster families for welcoming children into their homes. I am forever grateful that we have such a great community of foster carers and I hope to see this grow. The need for more foster carers is increasing and I encourage anyone who is thinking about opening their home up to a young person to get in contact with us so we can support you every step of the way.

The full list of long service awards given out yesterday ranged from 5 years' to a huge 25 years’ service.

Thinking about becoming a foster carer? It’s not about the big moments for children in need of a home, it’s the ordinary, everyday moments that count…

Find out more about becoming a foster carer.