London couple help sick children through fostering
With people across England facing bleak employment prospects as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, inspiring couple, Altaf and Firoza from London, believe that more people should consider fostering in this time of uncertainty.
Altaf, a former self-employed electrician, and his wife, Firoza, began fostering four years ago when two of their four grown-up children left home. They realised after seeing an advert for fostering on television that, having raised four children, they had the perfect skills to become a full-time foster carer. Since then the couple have looked after three foster children as well as numerous others on respite placements, all with varying health issues including a very poorly baby who required end of life care.
Altaf said: “As soon as we started the process to become foster carers, my wife was adamant that she wanted to help children with disabilities or health issues as she felt these were the children that other foster carers might be frightened to take on and would need us most. Firoza loves babies and having had four of her own, has a huge amount of experience in looking after them.”
Due to Altaf and Firoza’s specialism in looking after children who are very poorly, they have undertaken a huge amount of training to ensure they’re able to look after every child or young person to the best of their ability.
Altaf continues: “Each child we’ve looked after has different requirements so Five Rivers arranges specialist training each time at the local hospital so we’re well equipped to care for them when they come to us. This covers everything from tube feeding to giving special injections as well as general care for disabilities.”
The couple’s youngest daughter is particularly fond of the role her parents play as foster carers. Often helping out by babysitting or looking after the babies in the evening so Firoza can get some rest.
The couple have plans to continue fostering for years to come and Firoza is determined to carry on helping those children who need it most. They are currently waiting for their next placement, a 14-year-old boy with autism.
For more information on fostering, book a call with us or fill out this form here.