Carer of the Year nomination – Jan and Pete Herbert

Carer of the Year nomination – Jan and Pete Herbert

Jan and Pete Herbert’s youngest daughter may have just gone off to university but their home will be far from quiet as they’re currently fostering twin babies.

The Newcastle-under-Lyme couple have fostered 35 children over the past 11 years, ranging in age from birth to six years.

They have continued to foster despite Pete facing a serious health condition and have even recruited some of their friends to become foster carers too.

Marie Plant, Fostering Recruitment Officer with Stoke-on-Trent City Council, has nominated Jan and Pete in the Carer of the Year category of the Your Heroes Awards.

She said: “On many occasions Jan and Pete have had two or three foster children living with them at one time. Even during difficult times with Pete’s health they have never given up. They could have made the decision to take a rest but both felt they were able to continue with their fostering, which they have continued to do.

“Jan and Pete always put the welfare of the children in their care first. They make sure all their goals are being met and always encourage education alongside play. They always go the extra mile to help any child they can.

“They have done this role alongside raising children. Jan and Pete have always made sure they’ve found time for their own children and encouraged them to be successful.”

Jan said: “Fostering is very rewarding. It’s the best job in the world. The difference you see between when they first arrive and when they move on is sometimes absolutely amazing. You don’t always notice those changes until you look back to how they were when they first came.”

She added: “It feels very special to be nominated for a Your Heroes Award. We are honoured.”