Wildflowers in Forbury Gardens dedicated to Reading foster families

This morning (May 18) the Mayor of Reading, councillors and Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC) planted wildflower seeds in “the green heart of Reading”.

The wildflower garden aims to represent the “lovely array of difference” of foster families, said BFfC.

Board chairman of Brighter Futures for Children, Di Smith, said: “Our wonderful foster carers are special people and this wildflower area in Forbury Gardens will act as a living celebration of their vital work.

“The wildflowers also symbolise the variety and difference of our foster carers and of children in care and we wanted to recognise and celebrate this.”

A plaque will also be installed in the wildflower area reading: ‘Dedicated, with pride, to our foster carers who help children in Reading bloom and grow’.

Speaking at the seed planting today, the mayor of Reading, Cllr Rachel Eden, said Forbury Gardens is a great place for the wildflower garden as it is “the green heart of Reading”.

The mayor added that she sees how important carers are and looks forward to seeing “young people flourish like these flowers will”.

The project is a collaboration between Brighter Futures for Children, Reading Borough Council and foster carers in the area.

Foster carer and chairman of Reading Carers’ Link, Dimple Gillausseyn, said: “Fostering can be a challenging but always rewarding experience and I am sure Reading’s foster carers will appreciate the dedication of this wildflower area in the Forbury Gardens.

“As well as acting as a constant tribute to existing foster carers, I hope it might also prompt people to think about fostering themselves.  We would love to welcome more Reading adults to our fostering family and keep local children in care close to their family and friends.”

BFfC thanked Roland Staines, head gardener at Forbury Gardens, for donating the wildflower seeds.

For more information about fostering in Reading, visit the Brighter Futures for Children website.