As Foster Care Fortnight approaches, Ealing Council welcomes on board a newly approved foster carer who has already taken on her first fostering placements during the COVID-19 crisis.

Foster Care Fortnight is an annual campaign to raise awareness of the transformational power of fostering and to celebrate the fostering community. It will take place between 11-24 May.

Davina Green, a junior school teacher for the borough, has already opened her home to three children since becoming approved at the end of March. Davina lives with her teenage son Keegan (they are pictured together above) and her sister, an NHS key worker, and has already become a valued carer for the borough.

She said: “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. It’s taken nearly a year to get here and then happened quite suddenly. I got the approval at the end of March and our family welcomed a seven-year-old girl for the weekend shortly after.

“I was told she was a girly girl so went and got a light box and put a welcome message for her in her room; she loved it.

“Within days after her leaving, we extended our family by two, with a two and four year-old brother and sister, whose dad had contracted the coronavirus. I was in a queue for the supermarket when I got the call and they joined us later that day.

“The shop assistant looked at me quite strangely when I asked what size nappies I would need for a two-yea- old, but it’s been a while since I have had such a little one in my care.

“When they arrived, I was so excited; but it was quite strange too because the transport guy who brought them was in all his PPE gear – not a usual sight to see outside of this current COVID-19 situation. My son and I each took one of the children in our arms.”

With the weather being kind to them, the family were fortunate enough to spend plenty of time in the garden with the children enjoying blowing bubbles and playing games. Towards the end of the week the children even went to their usual nursery for a morning.

“It was a nice way to get them back into a normal routine before going back home,” said Davina. “It’s been a hard slog, but it was worth every minute, and the rewards of caring are huge when you see the children’s smiles.”

The pair stayed with Davina for two weeks before returning home to their father.

Councillor Yvonne Johnson, the council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for children’s services, said: “It’s always wonderful to know that we continue to help, support and recruit new foster carers in the borough. We have a wonderful team of staff at the council who work tirelessly to ensure that we place children in good loving homes, for whatever the reason may be. It’s a delight to have Davina as one of our newer foster carers.

“This is certainly a happy tale with a happy ending, and I am so enthused to hear stories like this one, especially as there is a lot of less heartening stories out in the media during the COVID-19 crisis.”

For more information about fostering caring and adoption visit https://ealingfosteradopt.co.uk/ or call 0800 731 6550.

If you would like some inspiration, you can read stories of how other local people have become foster carers in Ealing:

• “I just feel so good when they are happy,” said Caleb Campbell. He only started fostering when he was in his late 60s – but 12 years later he was enjoying it as much as ever. Read his story.
• “The best thing about fostering is helping children and making a difference to their life,” said Shakuntla Gittins, Ealing’s former Foster Carer of the Year. Read her story.
• “I always think being a parent is a real privilege and fostering is a wonderful opportunity to make a difference. There are challenges, but anything that is worth doing is challenging,” said Pete Cornford. Read his story.