► Foster carers give Blackburn University student "second chance" in life

24th May 2010 3:49 pm

For two years Chantelle Baldwin lived in a string of homes and with short-term foster families across East Lancashire, but she found it difficult to settle.Until, that was, she found fosterers Annie Smith and Sinclair Morris from Corporation Park, Blackburn — the couple to whom Chantelle says she owes her second chance in life.Now 22, the mum-of-one is telling her story as part of national Fostering Fortnight (May 17–30), to raise awareness of what fostering involves and encourage people to come forward to help. Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council has launched a new campaign based on the 'Happy Families' card game. It aims to recruit an additional 25 foster carers to provide homes to 35 children over the next 18 months to meet a desperate shortage of places.

Backing the campaign, Chantelle said: “I was staying in a home when I met a girl who was 13 like me and she said I could share her mum and dad.“They gave me a home until I was 17 and gave me the chance that I needed in life,” she added. “All a foster child needs is love and stability, like any other. And they gave me that, discipline and a family life that I’d never had.“I didn’t want to play up anymore because they made me feel good,” said Chantelle, who is studying complementary medicine at Blackburn University as well as working as a mobile beautician.

Chantelle grew up as an only child after her brother and sister both died when they were young.
However, with Annie and Sinclair she gained a family of six brothers and sisters, who were their own children. "They’d walk around with holes in their shoes to make sure all seven of us had everything we needed," Chantelle explained."They taught us chores and respect and gave me back my childhood. "

Chantelle, who now lives in Blackburn, with her fiancé Mick and three-year-old son Michael, said she could not imagine her life without her foster parents’ help. She added: "I’d ask anyone who thinks they can offer a safe and loving home to let a foster child join their family. It changed my life around. I don’t think I’d have gone to university or made something of myself if I hadn’t gone into care.”

As part of the activities planned for Fostering Fortnight Sam will be outside Blackburn Town Hall, King William Street, Blackburn, from 10am to 12 noon on Saturday, May 22 and later the same day at Darwen Town Hall, Croft Street, Darwen from 1pm to 3pm.Information points are also being set up to promote fostering throughout the fortnight at the following locations: May 25: 10am – 3pm at Adult Learning Centre, Blackburn College, Feilden Street, Blackburn May 26: 10am – 3pm at Darwen Town Hall, Croft Street, Darwen May 27: 10am – 3pm at Blackburn Royal Hospital, Haslingden Road, Blackburn

And recruitment/information events have been organised to take place on:
Monday, May 24: from 6.30pm to 8.30pm at Livesey Children's and All Age Centre Wednesday, June 23: from 10.30am to 12.30pm - Shadsworth Children's Centre, Shadsworth Road, Blackburn

Blackburn with Darwen Council provides all its foster carers with extensive training and ongoing support.

For more information about fostering and forthcoming events, visitwww.blackburn.gov.uk/fostering or call 0800 328 6919.

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► Foster carers give Blackburn University student "second chance" in life

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