Foster carers from across County Durham have been recognised at an awards ceremony to praise their work and celebrate achievement. Organised by Durham County Council’s fostering service, the annual event celebrates the completion of national training programmes and long service, ranging from five years through to 30 years. Around 100 people attended the ceremony including foster carers and their families, authority staff and members led by Margaret Whellans, Director of Children and Young People’s services; Cllr Mike Dixon, Vice Chairman of the council and Cllr Peter Brookes, chairman of the corporate parenting panel. Three foster families also received Special Achievement Awards for going the extra mile in caring for young people.
Ingrida Pigagiene and Vilius Pigaga, who currently foster four children alongside their own three children, were nominated for a special achievement award following feedback from a family who adopted one of their previous foster children. A letter to the team said: “It has been our privilege to have worked with Ingrida and Vilius and we cannot express how lucky we feel that our children were placed with them when they entered the looked after system. The handover of responsibility was handled so well we weren’t even aware how much help they were giving us. We were also offered so much more: emotional support, routines plan, clothes, life story boxes that are beautiful, I could go on, nothing was too much trouble and everything exceeded our expectations.
“We could never express fully our gratitude for the help and support they have given us and continue to offer us. They are a huge part of our family and hold a special place in our hearts.” Florence Coulter, Durham County Council’s Fostering Team manager, said: “The Foster Carer Awards is a truly inspirational evening and every year I am humbled to work with these wonderful people who open their homes and their hearts to some of our county’s most needy children. There is currently a shortage of foster carers in County Durham and the service is actively recruiting. Anyone interested in finding out more can contact the fostering service on 03000 269 400 or visit: www.durham.gov.uk/fostering
