A foster carer who has looked after more than 100 children is retiring, but her big hearted daughter is going to continue with her good work.
Over the last 26 years, Pat Bailey has helped more 104 youngsters who need a home and support. Now, 72 year old Pat has decided to retire after recently having a knee replacement. Her daughter Jane is going to carry on her mother’s invaluable work.
Jane, 38, said: “I’ve been doing it 10 years now and it’s one of the best things I’ve done. Before I fostered, I had no self-esteem. Now I will go into a meeting and fight for my kids.”
Pat is also the mother of 50 year old Lisa who is a ward sister and 48 year old dock worker Mark. She got into fostering after inviting children from Billingham care home round for dinner and it continued from there.
Jane decided to give fostering a go after she saw how much enjoyment her mum got from it. Both Pat and Jane believe that fostering has had a positive effect on their lives and the lives of their families.
Jane has two children of her own, 18 year old Josh and 13 year old Jack. She said: “It’s great for my kids, it makes them look at life differently and makes them more tolerant.
“My kids don’t view anybody differently – they accept them as soon as they get through the door.”
Pat and Jane aim to make a good life and encourage the kids that they foster to make a good life for themselves.
Pat said: “We want them to think there is a different future – else the cycle is just going to get started again.”
They are now calling on other Teessiders to consider becoming foster carers.
“Before I applied I didn’t think I stood a chance,” Jane said. “I didn’t have a husband, didn’t have a job and didn’t have my own house.
“But if you are a good person inside and have a lot of love to give it doesn’t matter where you live. If you’re interested, you should get in touch. You don’t know if you don’t ask.”
Around 10,000 foster carers are needed across the U.K. For more information contact Middlesbrough Council Fostering Service on 01642 201962.