Stockton foster carers honoured at emotional awards night

Stockton Council hosted the Foster Carer and Supported Lodgings Awards on Thursday, April 30, to honour the dedication and resilience of foster carers and hosts across the borough who support vulnerable children and young people.

Councillor Clare Besford, the council’s cabinet member for children and young people, presented the Long Service and Special Milestone Awards.

Cllr Clare Besford presenting a special milestone award to foster carers Colin Taylor and Pat Bond for 15 years of service (Image: Dave Charnley)

Cllr Besford said: “I’m immensely proud to celebrate our wonderful foster carers and supported lodgings hosts in our borough with these awards.

“It was an honour to celebrate their long and devoted service and hear about the outstanding achievements which they have made in the lives of children and young people in their care.

“Congratulations to all the winners and nominees.”

Foster Carer of the Year – Wendy Fowler (Image: Dave Charnley)

Carers and hosts were recognised across several categories, including long service, special milestones, and peer-to-peer support.

Special Milestone Awards were presented to those who reached one, five, 10, 15, and 20 years of service.

Long Service Awards went to those who had dedicated more than 30 years, including Margaret Wren (49 years), Malcolm and Shelley Atherton (33 years), and Patricia and Kenny Leishman (32 years).

Majella McCarthy, Director of Children’s Services with Foster Carer of the Year Wendy Fowler (Image: Dave Charnley)

The Young People’s Choice Award, with nominations submitted by children living with a foster family, was given to Sue and Stuart Reid in recognition of the support they provide to the young person living with them.

Julie and Paul Snowball received the Peer‑to‑Peer Recognition Award, which honours carers who support fellow foster families.

The couple play a key role in the Mockingbird fostering service, an extended family model designed to improve stability and outcomes for children by building a supportive community of carers.

Cllr Clare Besford presenting the 20 years of service award to Supported Lodgings Hosts Christine and Stephen Morgan (Image: Dave Charnley)

Julie Snowball said: “As I said on the night to the people who nominated me, it means the world to me but you are only as good as the people that you are surrounded by, and I’m surrounded by wonderful people, so it’s an honour for me to support them and I thoroughly enjoy doing it.”

Hazel and Wayne Micallef received the Supported Lodgings Host of the Year Award after being nominated three times.

The couple currently care for two teenagers, helping them build the confidence and skills needed for independence.

Foster Carer Julie Snowball, winner of the Peer-to-Peer Award with Louise Hollick, Assistant Director of Early Help, Safeguarding and Children (Image: Dave Charnley)

Supported lodgings hosts offer a home environment and practical guidance to young people as they transition into adulthood.

The Kinship Carer of the Year Award went to Pauline and Colin Poppleton.

Nominated by their grandchildren’s social worker, they were recognised for the emotional warmth, security, and sense of identity they provide, helping the children in their care make positive progress.

Wendy Fowler, who has spent more than 21 years as a foster carer, was named Foster Carer of the Year.

Ms Fowler said: “I was very surprised and quite emotional.

“From a personal level, it’s a great achievement for me, fostering is the best thing I’ve ever done in my life.”

She recently decided to retire due to health reasons.

Ms Fowler said: “I was very upset when I decided that I needed to retire, it took me a long time to think about it, but I thought the time was right because I hadn’t been very well last year.

“Now is the time to retire and spend a lot of time with my grandchildren and my children.”

Many of the children she has cared for over the years have remained in contact with her.

Ms Fowler said: “I’ve got other foster children as well because they stay in touch after all these years, they are still around and remain an important part of my life.

“I’ve loved every minute of fostering, and I would recommend anyone to do it because it gives more positives than negatives, it really does.”

For information on becoming a foster carer, visit the Foster with North East website.