More than 125 presents have been donated to Solihull foster children by a Solihull retirement village.
Kind hearted residents of Albany Meadows retirement village in Balsall Common, generously donated the presents for a second year running. This selfless gesture ensures that every single Solihull foster child can choose a present this Christmas. Donations have also been gratefully received from the ladies’ team at Marston Lakes golf club, Dunelm Solihull customers and Unite union.
Councillor Karen Grinsell, Leader of Solihull Council and Lead Member for Children’s Services & Education, said: “I’d like to thank the residents of Albany Meadows for their amazing generosity, in providing so many Christmas gifts for our Solihull foster children. This extremely kind gesture is the second year running that they have selflessly offered to support our children in care. It was a genuine pleasure to recently meet many of the residents to say ‘thank you’ and wish them a merry Christmas in person. A big thank you also goes to Marston Lakes Golf Club, Dunelm Solihull and their customers for their thoughtful donations.”
“In addition to these donations, many other businesses and individuals have been extremely big hearted, providing an abundance of presents for the children we support, as well as families who may be struggling financially this year.”
Sean Brown, Site Manager Albany Meadows, said: “We have a very community spirited group of residents at Albany Meadows, who were keen to continue their support of foster children across Solihull. It’s particularly pleasing to know that the presents are greatly received and will put a smile on the faces of the children.”
Many people are unaware that there are multiple different types of fostering, from respite to emergency, short term to family links – where children with disabilities have mini breaks away from their birth families. Separated Children and Young People, is also a recently introduced type of fostering, where unaccompanied asylum seeking children, who have escaped from danger and persecution in their country of birth, require a foster home to call their own. These are all in addition to more recognised and familiar long term fostering, the duration of which can be typically for more than a year.
You can download a guide which provides further information, as well as booking a call to speak to one of our experienced foster care social workers.