Carer of the Year nominee – Teresa Gotham

Carer of the Year nominee – Teresa Gotham

“You saved my life when I came to live with you” – foster carer Teresa Gotham received that powerful message from a young person who shared her home.

Now living independently, the teenager still visits Teresa, goes on holidays with her and credits Teresa with showing her the sort of life she wanted to lead.

Teresa, from Leek, has been a foster carer for around five years and began fostering with Stoke-on-Trent City Council in January because one of the children in her care is from the city.

The 56-year-old, who has two grown-up birth children and two grandchildren, has fostered five children including teenagers. She currently has a four-month-old baby and an eight-year-old sharing her home.

She has been nominated as a Carer of the Year in the Your Heroes Awards by Marie Plant, Fostering Recruitment Officer at Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

Marie said: “Teresa is a get up and go person. She cares for older children which is not always easy. We struggle to find long-term, loving family homes for children as they are getting a little older but Teresa steps up as a single carer and takes these children into her home.

“At times it can be a real struggle as the young person is finding their feet but Teresa never gives up on the child. She just keeps offering love and stability until they learn to trust her and know she is not going to push them away.

“Teresa is also a great advocate for Stoke Fostering and assists at support groups, training and recruitment. She is always positive about fostering and encourages others to become foster carers. If she can find the time she always steps up and is a great support for others.”

Teresa said: “I’m a bit shocked to be nominated for a Your Heroes Award really. I don’t feel like I deserve it but I’m honoured.

“I think every foster carer does a really difficult job and every foster carer deserves recognition for what they do.”

She added: “I find fostering extremely rewarding. I can see the difference that I make to the children. Also, I’m on my own and this gives me a purpose.

“When you have foster children living with you it means you can make a significant and positive impact on them. I’m quite an adventurous person ­- I love going camping and on holidays – and I’m able to share those experiences. I have lots of love and adventures to share.

“I stay in touch with one of the older young people that I fostered and she still comes camping sometimes. She said to me that I saved her life at the time she came to stay with me and that I gave her an experience of a life she could aspire to.”