Our Orange Grove foster parents, Amanda and Dave, have been recognised nationally for their exceptional dedication to fostering.
The couple, who have fostered with Orange Grove Foster Care Milton Keynes for the past 14 years, were named Foster Carers of the Year at the Children and Young People Awards.
Over the years, Amanda and Dave have provided a safe and nurturing home for many children and young people, building lasting relationships that have stood the test of time. Their award nomination described how the couple “immerse all those they care for in a loving, kind and incredibly supportive environment.”
Reflecting on their fostering journey, Amanda shared:
“From when we first got married, we’ve always had people live with us, lodgers or people in need. Fostering felt like a natural extension of that, especially as our own children began to leave home. I hate an empty house.
“We had a fantastic evening at the awards, and it was amazing to see so many organisations committed to improving the lives of children and young people. It was great to see foster carers recognised nationally.
“Fostering is challenging, and not an easy role, but I can’t imagine doing anything different. I love working with children, young people and their families. I see it as being a small part in helping to support, change and influence lives.”
Their ongoing commitment is clear. One of the children currently in their care enjoys strong connections with both his birth and foster families. Amanda and Dave have worked closely with his family to build positive relationships, ensuring he feels a sense of belonging to both households.
Erica Eversfield, Registered Manager at Orange Grove Milton Keynes, who nominated the couple for the award, said:
“Amanda and Dave have a wonderfully warm and engaging personality, which they’ve drawn on throughout their fostering journey. They’ve always shown patience, trust and understanding – providing consistency for every child they’ve supported.
“They have a unique secret recipe built from their own life experiences, qualities and attributes that make them truly exceptional. The children who live with them love them and want to stay. I was extremely proud to put them forward for this award.”
The Children and Young People Awards, held at the ICC in Birmingham, celebrated professionals, teams, and foster parents across the UK who make an outstanding difference to children and young people in care.
By sharing stories like Amanda and Dave’s, we hope to inspire others to consider fostering, helping to provide stability, love and opportunity for children who need it most.
If you’ve ever thought about fostering, now could be the perfect time to find out more. Simply complete our enquiry form, or call 0808 304 2457 to speak with our friendly team.
