A FOSTER carer who has helped hundreds of children and young people over more than three decades has been recognised for her dedication at Oldham Council’s annual fostering awards.
Linda Garforth, 68, has been fostering with Oldham Council since May 1991, providing a safe and supportive home for children ranging from just 30 hours old to teenagers.
She was among 22 foster families to receive Long Service Awards at the celebration evening, held at the Oldham Event Centre at Oldham Athletic FC. Together, the families have provided 250 years of fostering care.
Reflecting on her career, Linda said she had lost count of the number of children she had cared for.
“After 200 children I stopped counting,” she said.
Linda first became a foster carer aged 34 after spotting an advert in a newspaper. Having regularly looked after friends’ children, she realised she could offer something more to those in need.
“I was always minding friends’ kids and thought ‘there are children that need more than looking after’,” she said.
“I realised I could make a real difference.”
Over the years, Linda has provided long-term, short-term and respite placements, and went on to adopt one of the children in her care. She is currently looking after a seven-month-old baby.
For Linda, the greatest reward has been seeing the difference a stable and caring home can make to a child’s life.
“The most rewarding thing about being a foster carer is knowing that you have made a difference and seeing someone who has arrived withdrawn leave you with good memories,” she said.
Her commitment to fostering has also inspired her family. Both of her twin daughters, Christine and Catherine, have followed in her footsteps, with Christine becoming a foster carer in 2008 and Catherine in 2020.
Linda’s award was presented by the Mayor of Oldham, Cllr Pam Byrne, alongside flowers, a certificate and a gift voucher in recognition of her longstanding contribution.
The annual event brought together around 70 foster carers and 30 members of fostering staff for an evening celebrating the people who support some of Oldham’s most vulnerable children and young people.
Now in its 14th year, the celebration also saw five special awards presented, recognising achievements across fostering, kinship care and support for children with complex needs.
Oldham Council chief executive Shelley Kipling addressed the gathering to thank foster carers for their work, while the awards were co-ordinated by Nick Whitbread, assistant director of corporate parenting, and Lisa Oates, head of service for adoption and fostering.
Mr Whitbread said: “Our foster carers provide stability, care and encouragement to some of our most vulnerable children and young people.
“This celebration evening is a chance to recognise their dedication and thank them for the enormous difference they make to families across Oldham. We are incredibly grateful for their commitment and proud to celebrate their achievements.”
Ms Oates added: “Foster carers are at the heart of everything we do. This event is about recognising their hard work, celebrating their successes and showing our appreciation for the care, compassion and support they provide throughout the year.”
Anyone interested in becoming a foster carer can find out more at www.oldham.gov.uk/fostering or by calling 0300 303 0321.
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