By Lucy Hart, guest contributor
My partner Rob and I have been fostering with our family for the last eight years. It has been an honour and a privilege to care for and love the children that have become part of our family over those years.
One part of fostering that is important to us is the relationship we build with the children’s parents, particularly their mothers. Often their stories are difficult and complicated, but there is always a beautiful love to be found. Some of the connections we have created have made a profound impact on our lives and how we foster.
One of these amazing mothers was called Laura. We looked after her baby, while she made the huge commitment to concentrate on herself. During this huge time of difficult change, she was supported by the incredible charity Pause.
Pause’s vision is a society where no family experiences the removal of a child more than once. They offer an intensive, trauma-informed model of support to women at risk of having more than one child removed from their care. The programme enables them to take a pause, focus and prioritise the goals they want to achieve to sustain lasting, positive change.
Sadly, Laura passed away last year. Rob is running and ultra marathon (100K!) in July in her memory, and to raise awareness and funds for this incredible and much needed charity. We are so proud of him. The chance to make a difference for a cause so close to our hearts is really exciting. Everyone needs connection and deserves the chance and resources to get themselves where they need to be, so they can nourish and value themselves.
Follow Rob’s story and hear more about this incredible woman called Laura on our JustGiving page. Please donate as generously as you can and share this story far and wide.
