A LYMM woman has scooped a national award, recognising her inspirational work as a foster carer over the last 14 years, utterly transforming the lives of foster children.
Janet Linley is a foster carer with Foster with CANW, a not-for-profit independent fostering agency, part of the charity Child Action Northwest (CANW).
She was awarded the prestigious Unsung Hero of the Year Award at the Third Sector Awards, after being nominated by colleagues.
Working 24/7, Janet has transformed the lives of her foster children. These include Katlyn, who first came to live with her, aged nine, with hugely complex medical and social needs, alongside very limited communication skills. Janet learned a vast array of medical skills to enable her to provide all the care Katlyn has required. She advocated for Katlyn when it came to providing support outside the home, and making sure her needs are met at all times. This included sitting with her in school for months until an appropriate Teaching Assistant could be provided, taking and collecting her from college when suitable transport could not be provided, and much more.
Janet has supported Katlyn through big life changes from childhood to adult life. Katlyn’s health and social development improved in leaps and bounds, thanks to Janet’s care. She went from being bed-bound to now walking. She has learned Makaton in order to communicate. Her tracheotomy has been removed and she can breathe independently. With support from Janet, she joined Brownies and Guides and now, as a young adult, enjoys social activities with her peers.
Ian Charnock, fFostering service lead at Foster with CANW, who nominated Janet for the award, said “Janet’s dedication and support she provides to her foster children is absolutely extraordinary, particularly in the light of personal losses she has suffered. She is a selfless care-giver, who is passionate about supporting other foster carers. She takes additional time to provide guidance and support to new foster carers and attends support events to help provide other carers with a good support network.
“Janet is an absolute inspiration to everyone involved in fostering children. We offer her our heartfelt thanks for everything she does and our warmest congratulations on receiving this wonderful award.”.
Being a foster carer changes lives. Being a foster carer with CANW is a profession like no other. To find out more about becoming part of Child Action Northwest’s fostering family, Foster with CANW, a not-for-profit independent fostering agency, please go to https://canw.org.uk/what-we-do/fostering/ or email fostering@canw.org.uk.
