Bracknell

A Bracknell couple who have built up almost 35 years' experience of providing foster care to young people have decided it's finally time to retire.

Graham and Daphne Annetts are preparing to go into full-time retirement this month and Bracknell Forest Borough Council is now looking for new foster carers to replace the pair.

The couple were first approved as Bracknell foster carers in 1972 and since then have looked after nearly 40 young people, mainly teenagers. For many of them, Graham and Daphne remain their unofficial parents to this day.

Graham says they wanted to become foster carers to help young people: "People forget what an awful time being a teenager can be. They are so easily overlooked as everyone assumes they can look after themselves.

"It's often forgotten they are children going through major changes physically, mentally and emotionally.

"Some youngsters would come into our home with the weight of the world on their shoulders. As well as the regular pressures of growing up, some would have problems at home, at school and be easily swayed by peer pressure.

"Often their relationships with almost everyone around them would be shaky, school would be suffering and they would feel they were locked in a cycle they couldn’t seem to break out of. It’s hardly surprising they acted up sometimes.

"Some of the young people we cared for were real characters and many found it hard to express true emotion at first. It was lovely to be there when they did."

Asked what makes a successful foster carer Graham suggests: "Patience, understanding, clear boundaries and mutual respect are all important.

"It’s not a one-way experience - we learned a lot too. If people can try to understand where young people are coming from, respect them as individuals and build trust and confidence they will be doing the right things.

"Foster caring isn't always easy but we retire with wonderful memories and smiles on our faces thanks to all the young people."

Juliette Thomas, Family Placement Team Manager, said: "Graham and Daphne are a great couple who have been a bedrock of care for teenagers for a long time.

"They are well known and highly respected for the work they have done as foster carers. They have helped young people build self-respect, respect for others and to take pride in their achievements, be they large or small.

"We shall miss them a lot and I hope the wonderful things they have done will inspire others to come forward to pick up where they leave off.

Graham and Daphne Annetts were presented with an award for long service from the Council and a certificate signed by Cllr Clifton Thompson, Mayor of the Borough of Bracknell Forest and Timothy Wheadon, Chief Executive of Bracknell Forest Borough Council.

The presentation, attended by Director of Education, Libraries and Children's Services Tony Eccleston, was made on September 7 at Portman Close, the hub for services to teenagers and young people while in care.

And as an extra thank you staff in the Family Placement Team contributed £100 towards a gift for Graham and Daphne to enjoy their retirement.

Cllr Clifton Thompson, Mayor of the Borough of Bracknell Forest, said: "Graham and Daphne have provide an invaluable service and they will be sorely missed by the Family Placement Team.

"They have provided care, support and strength to many teenagers in the borough for 35 years. I wish them all the best and hope they have a very happy retirement."

Anyone can apply to be a foster carer - contact the Bracknell Forest Family Placement Team on 01344 351582 or complete an no-commitment online Expression of Interest form at www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/fostering.

Alternatively, drop in to a foster carers open evening on Thursday, October 12, at the Bracknell Family Centre in Warfield Road from 7pm to 9pm.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council