Foster mother calls for Nottinghamshire people to consider opening up their home to vulnerable children
A foster mother has called for people across Nottinghamshire to open their homes to the region’s vulnerable children.
Nina Severn, 50, decided to become a foster carer after her own children grew up, and is currently looking after two siblings on a long-term placement.
Nina first considered fostering in 2011, but decided it wasn’t the right time.
Seven years later, she met a foster carer through work, who told her about Five Rivers Child Care in Chesterfield.
She said: “Part of my job now as a forensic sampler is to visit children and young people and I’ve met so many inspiring foster carers who have dedicated their lives to supporting those who need it most.
“I ended up speaking to a mother who had just started fostering with Five Rivers, and after hearing her story, I felt it was the right time to consider fostering again.”
Nina and her husband, Alan, welcomed siblings Lily, ten, and 11-year-old Lucas (not their real names) into their home.
Nina said: “When the children first arrived, Lily walked in and said, ‘I want to live here’. Lucas said he was happy he and his sister could live in our home forever. I had tears rolling down my cheeks.”
Nina’s decision to foster has been supported by her five children, including her 25-year-old son, Thomas, who still lives in the family home and helps his mum with the two youngsters.
As well as arts and crafts, reading books and making trips to the Yorkshire Wildlife Park, the family enjoys spending time together looking after their 40 chickens, 20 guinea fowl, 16 goats, three horses, three geese, three dogs and two cats.
Nina said: “Lily and Lucas spend lots of time outside with the animals. Our goats and chickens will be having babies in the spring and they are beyond excited.”
On advice to prospective foster carers, Nina said: “If you are loving and caring and think you can give someone a great future, a career in foster care is for you.
“I’m passionate to make a difference in Lily and Lucas’ lives and help and nurture them to strive to have a great future.”
For more information on foster care, contact Five Rivers Child Care on 0345 266 0272 or visit www.five-rivers.org.
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