By Georgia FreeWednesday 13 Sep 2023Hope DriveSocial JusticeReading Time: 2 minutes
Every week foster care agencies in NSW receive requests for urgent care for over 100 kids. Only three are able to be placed.
Nicole Martin, head of Foster Care, Adoption and Family Support for Anglicare Sydney, believes that we all have a responsibility to ask ourselves how we can help.
“We often think that it’s too hard, and that’s true, but it doesn’t change the fact that 97 more kids need a home,” Nicole told Hope Drive.
“The best foster carers are just people who are willing to help… who are flexible and prepared to open their home to provide a space for a child, for a short time or a long time.
“We have people from all walks of life – single carers, grandparents, people in their 20s.
“Everyone has something unique and special to offer a child.”
“Everyone has something unique and special to offer a child,” – Anglicare Sydney’s Nicole Martin
Can’t foster? You can still help
Anglicare have recently launched a concept called foster circles – which are communities which provide practical and tangible support to foster carers.
“This has come from the idea that everyone can do something – and that the Bible calls us to do that,” Nicole said.
“How are you supporting foster carers in your community or church? Do you offer to make meals for them? Do you offer to mow their lawn?”
St James Turramurra has recently embraced the concept and started a WhatsApp group to support foster carers within the church – to great success.
“Within 24 hours of a foster child being placed, there were nappies, strollers, cots and bottles delivered to the family’s house,” Nicole said.
“And as much we do our job here, we need more than just us.
“We need communities to wrap around our foster carers.”
“We need communities to wrap around our foster carers,” – Anglicare Sydney’s Nicole Martin
Starting the foster care process?
As daunting as the process may seem, Nicole wants to reassure people that Anglicare is there to help potential foster carers every step of the way.
“The first step is picking up the phone… it’s just the start of a conversation,” she said.
“We’re going to take you on a journey that feels safe and supported as you figure out whether this is right for your family.”
Listen to Nicole’s interview on Hope Drive in the player above.