EDITORIAL: IT takes a big heart to be a foster carer and anyone who has taken the step will tell you that the rewards are great.
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Children are placed in foster care for myriad reasons but there is one constant in that they all need help, stability and a dose of normality in their lives.
Research indicates that one of the best ways for humans to experience real happiness is through helping others and what better way to do it than by fostering a child?
There is a misconception that foster care is an all-consuming affair that requires a lot of time, energy and focus.
It is not the case.
While foster carers are expected to be committed to the role, flexibility is the key to making it work — both for the carer and the child.
Take Rachael Lenehan and Matthew Buck who featured in yesterday’s paper as part of Foster Care Week this week.
Both are sporty and busy with full-time jobs, but it hasn’t stopped them from being carers and it certainly hasn’t stopped them feeling great about taking on the responsibility.
The couple have been foster carers for about a year and offer respite and emergency care ranging from one night a week to a few weeks, and they have cared for children from six months old to 17.
That’s the thing, it doesn’t have to be about taking on another child in the house permanently.
Carers can choose to provide respite care, emergency care, short-term or long-term care depending on their circumstances.
What’s more, you can be a couple, a family or even an individual, the possibilities are numerous.
Foster Care week is almost over, but that doesn’t mean the opportunity has been lost.
Warrnambool’s Brophy Family Services are hosting a coffee and chat session today at the Kulcha Shift Community Café at 2pm.
There are many youngsters in our community who are doing it tough right now.
They need your help, so why not give it a try?