Volunteer Foster Parents Plead for a Donated Space

Volunteer foster parents from Perth are crying for help after they lost their venue and are now pleading for a donated space.

Foster parents, who are volunteering to care for Perth’s most vulnerable children, have gathered together to face the loss of a vital donations service.

The ‘one-stop-shop’ of donated clothing and other basic supplies foster carers go to in times of need has lost its venue after the state association had to move to smaller premises. The store receives donations such as clothes, nappies, toys and books, including cots and prams, that foster carers could turn to.

One single foster mum, who could not be named to protect the identities of her foster children, has told of their current situation. “We don’t always get money for setup, cars, prams basically you have to provide everything,” she said.

She said she has looked after 15 children, from babies through to teenagers, after she started fostering two years ago.

The mum, who was formerly a lawyer with a city firm, getting a six-figure income, said she recently gave up her job to commit to starting her own business and looking after one child long-term.

She said sometimes children arrived with just the clothes on their backs, and being able to go to the ‘store’ for a few items eased their burden. “Parents can get a baby dropped to their house in a singlet and nappy and that’s it, with very little warning,” she said.

However, with the recent development, she said that the group are now pleading for a donated space.

“Even a shed at a commercial property would be fine. Any kind of storage facility. It doesn’t have to be fancy, just a space with shelving and that is accessible for people to go regularly,” she said.

She asked anyone wishing to donate to make sure the donations were of good quality. “These kids deserve the best. They need extra support, understanding daycares, schools and teachers, they need a good GP, carers cope with behaviours related to trauma,” she said.

The mum added what type of parenting foster children need.

“You can’t parent these kids how you would a typical child. As a carer, it can be really isolating. So this is a way to feel that the community is here and they want to help, even in a small way,” she said.

Source: Essentialbaby.com.au