Hillingdon Council honours its dedicated foster carers
Tuesday 15 October, 2024: The outstanding commitment and unwavering support of Hillingdon Council's foster carers have been recognised at a special awards ceremony.
Amanda and Peter Botterill, and Lynne and Michael Moore were each recognised for 25 years' service.
Satinder and Jagmohan Gill were honoured for 15 years, while Bernadette and Christopher Hills-Scott, Rachel and Andy Langford, and Garry and Elise Simkins received awards for 10 years' service. Kerriann and Carl Follett, Mary and Kerry Hennessy, Vanda Hewett, Jeanette Isaacs and Julie Reynolds were all recognised for five years of fostering with the council.
They received their awards from Cllr Heena Makwana, Chairman of the council's Children, Families and Education Select Committee and Emma Kavanagh, the council's Assistant Director for Corporate Parenting and Fostering.
Satinder and Jagmohan, from Uxbridge, have fostered 37 children. Satinder said: "You have to put in a lot of time, but it's very rewarding just to see them grow and change. The house is full of laughter and giggles, it's lovely and brings your house to life. I just love looking after children and it's very rewarding to see them thriving.
"We're just really proud to be part of the borough and I've been really well supported by the council for the last 15 years."
Garry, from Eastcote, was recognised alongside his late wife Elise. Together they had fostered 16 children. He said: "We had time to do it, a good family home and a loving family and we thought we had something to offer children in need.
"If you have got time to give, the rewards come back to you, and you see how much they improve in your care. Every child has left us, I believe, better than when they arrived."
A further eight awards - Embracing Change, Compassion in Fostering, Fostering Mentor of the Year, Fostering Ambassador Award, Exceptional Care Award, Resilience in Fostering Award, Newcomer of the Year Award and the Sibling Support Award - were also presented.
These awards recognised foster carers who have gone above and beyond in supporting their peers and children in remarkable ways.
Roy and Filomena Taylor, from Hillingdon, won the Exceptional Care Award. They are currently caring for four children and have fostered more than 20 children in the past 13 years.
Filomena said: "We enjoy seeing the children progress, providing them with a home and just giving them the love and nurturing they need."
Roy said: "When you're doing the school run and the child starts holding your hand it's so monumental that you're making that link and that bond with them."
Cllr Susan O'Brien, Hillingdon Council's Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education, said: "The commitment and dedication of the council's foster carers has made a profound and positive impact on the lives of so many children and young people, and this was the council's way of saying 'thank you' for their continued dedication.
"The event was a wonderful opportunity to recognise the life-changing support our foster carers provide and celebrate their achievements. Congratulations to all our award winners."
Since the council launched its campaign to recruit more foster carers in May with an unrivalled payment and benefits package, it has received more than 100 enquiries.
The council offers the most competitive package in London, where foster carers can now earn up to £1,500 per week and receive a 25 per cent reduction in council tax when looking after a child in care.
This also includes £1,000 off utility bills, a winter fuel allowance and a family Merlin and leisure pass. This equates to an annual salary of up to £72,000.
Find out more about the council's fostering service by visiting www.hillingdon.gov.uk/fostering
