Could you be a foster care hero for Redbridge? Meet Tricia – the Beauty Therapist transforming young lives in Redbridge
Published: 10 March 2021
As spring awakens with the sight of new flowers blooming, never has a season been more symbolic of the life changing work being carried out by Redbridge foster carers.
Tricia Jones, 45, is one of a network of foster carers working with Redbridge Council to give vulnerable children a chance of a new life.
Since becoming a foster carer for the borough, the beauty therapist has been providing a loving, safe and stable home for vulnerable children, and has so far helped and positively shaped the lives of 23 young children.
Tricia, who has a biological son of her own, made the decision to foster ten-years ago and hasn’t looked back.
She said: “Knowing you can give a child a home filled with love, support and consistency, at a moment in their life that they most need it, is one of the most rewarding and life changing things you can do.”
Currently there are 40 foster care households working with Redbridge Council, but the borough needs more.
Redbridge is looking for people who can open-up their hearts and homes to offer a child a new life by fostering them. Foster carers literally change the futures of the children they care for.
Speaking about why she became one, Tricia said: “I decided after having my son. He was smothered in love from the moment that he was born. I had so much love to give, and knowing that not every child is fortunate enough to experience the same, fostering seemed an obvious decision. My son is very loving, giving, understanding and accepting and I really feel that a huge part of that is due to him being around the children in my care.”
Over the last decade Tricia has fostered children of all ages, from as young three-days-old to teenagers - often forming a lasting bond that has seen her stay in touch with several of her foster children and their parents.
She added: “When you’re giving your love and attention to your foster child and start receiving it back, it’s an incredibly heart-warming feeling. The first time they hold your hand, smile at you, open up to you or say ‘I love you’- you feel an overwhelming sense of love, and a real sense of accomplishment.
“As a foster carer you feel a strong sense of pride and happiness when you see your foster child go on to their forever home, or back to their families, knowing you have given them a strong foundation that will enable them to make strong attachments in the future. That’s when you know you’ve done your job well, and you await the next child who needs you.”
Redbridge Council is urging more people to come forward as foster carers. In addition to offering financial support of up to £457 per child, per week, there are also training opportunities, access to a fostering network and a ‘buddy system’ available to provide further support to new foster carers.
Additional financial allowances can also be provided for uniforms, religious festivals, birthdays and holidays. There is also up to an 80% council tax discount.
Cllr Elaine Norman, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “Seeing the change in the children throughout their time in foster care is remarkable. Our foster carers do an incredible job of providing a loving secure home for young people at a vulnerable time in their lives. They make a real difference to the children’s lives and their future. If you are able to foster for Redbridge or want more information, please do get in touch with the council.”
For more information, or if you are considering fostering for Redbridge, please email the council’s fostering team on fostering@redbridge.gov.uk or call on 020 8708 6068. Alternatively book on to their next information session on: www.redbridge.gov.uk/fostering
