A FOSTER carer from Reading has revealed how the chance for every child to have a loving home is what spurs her on to help.

Rachel, whose name has been changed, explained she has been fostering a primary school aged boy since last summer.

Prior to fostering, she revealed she had supported children and young people in care through charities.

She said: "I just have always felt that it is so important to be able to offer a home and a safe place for children and young people who are vulnerable.

"They all deserve to have a loving and nurturing home and to have a loving and supportive family they can be part of."

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Since starting to foster, Rachel said it has been "really rewarding" and she has been "getting to know him and his little personality and character and understanding who he is and what he loves to do".

She added: "It’s a real privilege to know him and to be family to him."

Foster Care Fortnight ran from May 10 until May 23 and Brighter Futures for Children’s Independent Fostering Agency (IFA) encouraged people of Reading to learn more about being a foster carer.

In Reading there are, on average, 270 children and young people in their care.

Brighter Futures for Children believe it's important to allow children and young people to stay rooted in Reading.

Di Smith, Board Chair of Brighter Futures for Children, said: “Our wonderful foster carers play a vital role in the lives of children and young people in care and I would like to thank them all.

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“We want to keep Reading children in Reading and we need more local people to become foster carers to make that happen.

“I would urge anyone who has thought about foster caring to contact us to find out more. As well as being a rewarding role, our foster carers receive a great package of training and support and become part of a friendly network of fellow carers.”

Rachel said people thinking of becoming foster carers will need patience, resilience and a good support network in place for themselves.

She explained practising self care is also important.

She added: "By being a foster carer you’re making a huge difference to someone’s life.

"It can be life changing to them to be part of a home where they feel settled and secure.”