A COUPLE who have won awards for their fostering work have been chosen to represent the region during Foster Care Fortnight.

Louise and Colin Day from Thame have been foster carers for two years.

Last year, Louise received Oxfordshire County Council’s Foster Carer of the Year Award, in recognition for her and her husband’s commitment to caring for children.

This year the couple have been chosen as this year’s regional ambassadors for Foster Care Fortnight, which runs from May 10 - 23.

The couple were praised for transforming the confidence of the first child they cared for; a shy young boy who was partially sighted and non-verbal.

The Day’s patiently coaxed out his personality and grew his confidence.

They took him on exciting adventures, including on holidays to Spain and Dartmouth.

He thrived in a range of activities, such as touch-sensory classes and singing groups. He also benefited from having a playmate, the family’s daughter Ava.

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Once the child became the proud owner of a pair of glasses and was able to see the world clearly, the nervousness fell away, replaced by enthusiasm and energy, allowing him to enjoy every moment of life to the full.

Ms Day said: “The joy of watching a foster child grow in confidence is almost indescribable. He was my first son by heart, not birth. But the bond is just as strong.

“You yearn for them to succeed. You believe in the young person in your care. You know they’re capable. Through patience and belief, you gradually get the incredible reward of witnessing their transformation.”

She added: “For anyone who is in two minds if foster caring is for them, please give it a go. I’m sure, like us, you’ll never look back.”

The Day’s social worker said: “Louise and Colin are so accommodating. They have not only made a huge difference right now but have positively influenced the child’s future too.

“They have an amazing future ahead of them as foster carers.”

That ‘first son by heart’ has now been adopted and is well placed for a happy and fulfilling future, thanks to the best start in life made possible by Ms and Mr Day.

Foster Care Fortnight is the UK’s biggest foster care awareness raising campaign, delivered by leading fostering charity The Fostering Network. This year’s theme is ‘why we care’.

Campaign organisers explained that thousands of new foster families are needed every year to care for children, with the greatest need being for foster carers for teenagers, sibling groups, children with disabilities and unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.

Lara Patel, Oxfordshire County Council’s deputy director for children services, said: “This year’s Foster Care Fortnight is an opportunity to recognise the commitment, passion and dedication foster carers have shown in what has been a very challenging time during the last year.

“It also provides the opportunity to encourage others to foster. We urgently need to recruit more foster carers in Oxfordshire.

“It is our aim to place the children we care for locally with Oxfordshire County Council foster carers, like Louise and Colin. Keeping children in the local area means they can continue in their educational setting while they maintain friendships and family connections.”

For more information about fostering visit www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/fostering.