Gateshead's fostering community celebrated at Fostering Awards
The Gateshead fostering community enjoyed magic performances, live music, dancing and award presentations at the Gateshead Fostering Awards on Thursday 22 May as part of the Foster Care Fortnight celebrations.
The annual awards ceremony took place at the Marriot Hotel to recognise the achievements of foster children and carers throughout the year.
Categories for awards included 'Supporting Superstar' and 'Unsung Hero' and nominees were chosen by Gateshead's fostering community, including fostering support officers and social workers.
This year a new awards category 'Superhero Children who Foster Award' was introduced to recognise the incredible support the children of our carers do in welcoming foster children into their homes. The winner of the awards was 12-year-old Evie Ellison, the daughter of foster carers Deb and Michael Ellison. Evie was chosen to win by our judging panel for her dedicated support to her parents in caring for the children in their care. She was presented her award by Councillor Jill Green, Chair of Audit and Standards Committee at Gateshead Council.
The Awards also gave children and young people the opportunity to vote for 'Most Amazing Carer' and recognised everyone who was nominated for their achievements.
Everyone enjoyed a special performance of songs from two of Gateshead College's music performance students and children also got to meet special guests Belle and Spiderman.
Councillor Catherine Donovan Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said:
"We were delighted to recognise our amazing foster carers at this special event.
"Recognising the commitment to caring for children and young people is so important for Gateshead's fostering community. Every carer is a hero in our eyes and having the opportunity to come together in celebration of their achievements is always a highlight of the community's year.
"The awards are also an opportunity to see how the children and young people are thriving, which is a brilliant feeling for all of us at Gateshead Council."
Helen Fergusson, Director for Children's Services and Lifelong Learning, said:
"Our Fostering Awards ceremony is always an emotional event, filled with love and joy for our Gateshead's fostering community.
"The award for Most Amazing Carer is particularly moving for us all, as it is always lovely to hear why the children, and young people nominated their carers.
"It's so important for us to remember that what makes our carers amazing is all the small stuff, the little things they do every day, that make the young people know that they are loved and that they are safe."
The Fostering Awards is one of several events during Foster Care Fortnight which celebrates Gateshead fostering families and the amazing work they do.
Anyone interested in fostering with Gateshead Council who would like to find out more, can or make an enquiry via the regional fostering hub, Foster with North East, by emailing contact@fosterwithnortheast.org.uk or calling 0800 917 7771.
The Gateshead fostering community enjoyed magic performances, live music, dancing and award presentations at the Gateshead Fostering Awards on Thursday 22 May as part of the Foster Care Fortnight celebrations.
The annual awards ceremony took place at the Marriot Hotel to recognise the achievements of foster children and carers throughout the year.
Categories for awards included 'Supporting Superstar' and 'Unsung Hero' and nominees were chosen by Gateshead's fostering community, including fostering support officers and social workers.
This year a new awards category 'Superhero Children who Foster Award' was introduced to recognise the incredible support the children of our carers do in welcoming foster children into their homes. The winner of the awards was 12-year-old Evie Ellison, the daughter of foster carers Deb and Michael Ellison. Evie was chosen to win by our judging panel for her dedicated support to her parents in caring for the children in their care. She was presented her award by Councillor Jill Green, Chair of Audit and Standards Committee at Gateshead Council.
The Awards also gave children and young people the opportunity to vote for 'Most Amazing Carer' and recognised everyone who was nominated for their achievements.
Everyone enjoyed a special performance of songs from two of Gateshead College's music performance students and children also got to meet special guests Belle and Spiderman.
Councillor Catherine Donovan Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said:
"We were delighted to recognise our amazing foster carers at this special event.
"Recognising the commitment to caring for children and young people is so important for Gateshead's fostering community. Every carer is a hero in our eyes and having the opportunity to come together in celebration of their achievements is always a highlight of the community's year.
"The awards are also an opportunity to see how the children and young people are thriving, which is a brilliant feeling for all of us at Gateshead Council."
Helen Fergusson, Director for Children's Services and Lifelong Learning, said:
"Our Fostering Awards ceremony is always an emotional event, filled with love and joy for our Gateshead's fostering community.
"The award for Most Amazing Carer is particularly moving for us all, as it is always lovely to hear why the children, and young people nominated their carers.
"It's so important for us to remember that what makes our carers amazing is all the small stuff, the little things they do every day, that make the young people know that they are loved and that they are safe."
The Fostering Awards is one of several events during Foster Care Fortnight which celebrates Gateshead fostering families and the amazing work they do.
Anyone interested in fostering with Gateshead Council who would like to find out more, can or make an enquiry via the regional fostering hub, Foster with North East, by emailing contact@fosterwithnortheast.org.uk or calling 0800 917 7771.
