Manchester's foster carers make a difference

Some of Manchester's foster carers got the chance to see the difference their work makes when they attended an awards ceremony for cared-for children at Manchester United's Old Trafford complex.

All the children and young people - aged from 8 to 21 - have overcome difficult circumstances and their efforts are now being recognised in the Manchester Achievement Awards.

Key elements that led to their award success include significant improvement, demonstrated responsibility, continuous effort, co-operation, continuous motivation, school achievements, including attendance, good grades and outstanding effort, and demonstrated respect for themselves and others in school and their community.

Granada TV presenter Tony Morris, helped hand out some of the awards at the first of two award ceremonies at Manchester United's Old Trafford complex on November 16, including Eileen Williams, from Fallowfield, Janet Johnson, who has been a short term foster carer for eight years and lives in Chorlton, Elaine and Terence Brassell, long-term foster carers for six years, from Timperley; Anne Johnson, a foster carer for 20 years, and Janice Kelly, a foster carer for 14 years, both from Wythenshawe.

The Executive Member for Children's Services, Councillor Sheila Newman, said: "Our foster carers really are making a big difference to the lives of the children and young people they care for. But there are still many other young people who desperately need the security, warmth and comfort of a family, and we would encourage people to become foster parents."

Anyone interested in becoming a foster parent can ring 0161-860-7666, or email familyduty@manchester.gov.uk, and find out more from our web site.

As well as receiving £30 shopping vouchers and certificates on the night, the young achieves received a goody bag and a free camera so they could take their own photographs with a range of celebrity guests.

They also received a specially-edited DVD of the occasion. Other celebrity guests joining Tony Morris were Phil Frampton, author of Golly in the Cupboard, a prize-winning book about his life in care, and Clare Edge, regional worker from A National Voice - an organisation run by people in care for people in care.

The second achievements awards ceremony took place at Hough End Conference Centre on November 24.

Media contacts:

Dave Hulme, 0161 234 4610, and Jane Lemon, 0161 234 3179