Kent ‘Supermums’ Share Their Journey As Foster Parents
Fostering gave Jenny Garner and Helen Southerden, both from Kent, a chance to experience the joys of motherhood while also helping children who needed it the most to be loved and cared for in a safe home environment.
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Jenny and Helen are two of ISP Fostering’s longest standing foster parents. Jenny joined the fostering team over 27 years ago and Helen joined 24 years ago. Both women are remarkable examples of foster parents who have changed the lives of the children in their care.
Jenny (pictured above) has first hand experience of foster care; her childhood inspired her to carry forward the experience of a happy family life so that other children who came from similar backgrounds could experience the right level of love and support. She said: “A foster family can really meet children’s needs – giving them a safe space and the experience of living in a family.”
Jenny has been able to provide unwavering care and support for many children but recalls one particularly special moment as a foster mum. She enrolled one of her foster children into drama and dance class after seeing his potential. He was so good that he ended up performing at the London Palladium and The O2. Jenny was incredibly proud of his success and said: “When I saw him, I was so proud, and it brought tears to my eyes – it’s very heartwarming.”
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While the joys of fostering are abundant, the challenges can be hard too. Helen recalls a particularly challenging time when she took in a 15-year old who was 36 weeks pregnant. Helen taught her how to look after her baby independently before the teenage girl moved on to live with another family. Helen said: “After a couple of months she had left us, and we weren’t expecting to see her again, but I got a call one afternoon and it was her. She was distraught and wanted me to go and pick her up. Her parents didn’t want her, so I went and collected her and we drove away. About halfway home she turned to me and called me ‘mum’ – and she’s called me that ever since.”
Helen (pictured below) is still in touch with this young person, and describes it as a very ‘special relationship’.
Helen believes that all the children and young people she has looked after have impacted her life ‘in some way or another’ and feels truly blessed to be a foster mum to many children and young people, many of whom are still in touch with her many years after leaving her care.
Despite the challenges that come with fostering, these two ‘supermums’ have remained committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for the children in their care. Their kindness and compassion have truly touched lives and they have become an inspiration to many.
Jenny said: “I’m very proud to be a foster parent at ISP and so grateful to the children that I’ve cared for because I've learnt a lot and it’s given me a lot of opportunities.”
There are currently more than 80,000 children and young people in care, and that number is set to rise to more than 100,000 by 2025 which means that now more than ever, more foster parents are needed to come forward to change the lives of children and young people throughout Kent.
ISP fostering hosts weekly, online information sessions on Thursdays at 7pm for people to learn more about fostering, or find support while on their fostering journey. You can book on to the event and find out more at https://ispfostering.org.uk/resources/events/
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