The extraordinary dedication of foster carers across South Gloucestershire has been celebrated at a special awards ceremony held during Foster Care Fortnight at Eastwood Park on Thursday 14 May.
Around 80 guests attended the event, including foster carers, social workers, senior leaders from the council and partners, all coming together to recognise and thank foster carers for the vital role they play in transforming children’s lives.
The ceremony was hosted by Councillor Simon Johnson, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, alongside Aimee Williams, Service Manager for Fostering and WAYPOINT (Working Alongside Young People & Others In Networks Therapeutically), which is part of South Gloucestershire Council’s Children’s Services department.
A highlight of the event was the presentation of long‑service awards to 13 of the districts foster carers with more than 10 years’ experience who attended the ceremony. Twenty-five carers have passed this milestone, and together they represent a remarkable 356 years of fostering, working with local children.
The evening also celebrated outstanding peer‑to‑peer support, with the Foster Carer of the Year Award, nominated and voted for by fellow foster carers, presented to Wendy and Bill Bond of Pilning. The award recognises not only exceptional care for children, but also commitment to supporting and encouraging other carers across the fostering community.
Councillor Simon Johnson, South Gloucestershire Council Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “Foster carers are some of the most dedicated and compassionate people in our communities. The combined 356 years of experience we’re celebrating tonight represents thousands of moments of care, stability and encouragement for children who need it most.
“I’m incredibly proud of our foster carers and grateful for everything they do to help children and young people thrive.”
Chris Sivers, Executive Director for the People Department at South Gloucestershire Council, added: “Behind every positive outcome for a child in care is a network of committed foster carers and professionals working together. This event is about recognising the skill, resilience and heart our foster carers bring every single day. Their impact lasts a lifetime.”
Wendy and Bill Bond were named Foster Carers of the Year by their peers whose testimonials included:
“Always willing to listen and offers great advice! A credit to the fostering service.”
“Always goes above and beyond to look after us carers and Wendy is brilliant with all our amazing foster children too.”
The 25 foster carers who were recognised for their long service were:
- Alexis Turner, from Hallen, who has been supporting local children as a foster carer for 23 years
- Jenny Powell, from Cam, 22 years
- Christine Bennett, from Chippenham, 19 years
- Susan Maiden, from Berkeley, 19 years
- Julie Hodge, from Siston, 18 years
- Amanda Gibbons, from Longwell Green, 17 years
- Hannah Volker, from Longwell Green, 17 years
- Jacqueline Coombs, from Yate, 15 years
- Michelle Bennett, from Kingswood, 14 years
- Janet Davis, from Patchway, 14 years
- Hayley Henson, from Oldland Common, 14 years
- Rosalind Rose, from Bradley Stoke, 14 years
- Melissa Banfield, from Bitton, 13 years
- Sue Hollingsbee, from Filton, 13 years
- Wendy Bond, from Pilning, 12 years
- Anne-Marie Chilvers, from Severn Beach,12 years
- Sonia Mead, from Kingswood, 12 years
- Susan Sandman, from Almondsbury, 12 years
- Deborah Bedingfield, from Kingswood, 11 years
- Victoria Clemmet, from Patchway, 11 years
- Marie Judge, from Yate, 11 years
- Annette Lee, from Bridgeyate, 11 years
- Catherine Smith, from Chipping Sodbury, 11 years
- Sandra Tetteh, from Bradley Stoke, 11 years
- Nicola Bright, from Rudgeway, 10 years
The awards ceremony formed part of South Gloucestershire Council’s Foster Care Fortnight celebrations, which aim to recognise foster carers and encourage more people to consider fostering, helping the children we care for to feel safe, loved, and close to their networks.
To find out more about fostering in South Gloucestershire, go to our website at www.fostersouthglos.org.uk.
