Family matters: fostering Shooting stars

In each issue, we spotlight a young person in Islington who has excelled themselves or is making a positive contribution to their community. This time: Samira Ahmed, social media and community executive Through LIFT (Leading Inclusive Futures through Technology), I completed a paid internship where I learnt video production. I was mentored and trained throughout. I’m deaf, and I received support that helped me to overcome any barriers. LIFT job fairs were also great, helping me to network and discover opportunities.

Sue Jeakins has been a foster carer in Islington for 13 years, caring for more than six children and specialising in teenagers. Sue tells us how a network of local foster families is making a difference

I’m a trained counsellor and worked in a school for 15 years. I’d always been interested in fostering and became more so after doing a training course. My colleague was a foster carer and she encouraged me, eventually becoming my mentor.

Being a foster carer is the most pleasurable and worthwhile job I’ve ever done, but it can also be difficult. You must be passionate about fostering. I love children and I started fostering when I realised what a big difference a supportive, consistent adult can make to a child’s life. Now everyone calls me nanny Sue!

They say it takes a village to raise a child – that’s especially true for fostering. It’s a 24/7 job and can feel lonely. Circles of Support is a council scheme where a central carer (in this case, me) provides support, planned and emergency care, and regular social activities for foster families. Birth children and relatives are included too, so it creates a type of extended family, which everyone benefits from.

We’ve been going to Circles of Support for a few months now and I can already see the difference it’s making. It’s nice to be able to talk to people who understand you and it’s been great getting to know everyone. The children connect easily, as they don’t have to explain themselves to each other. Circles of Support is a fantastic way to look after foster carers. When carers are happy, children are happy.

All Islington foster carers receive financial and practical support and the latest, high-quality training. To find out more, visit: fostering.islington.gov.uk or call 020 7527 7933 or 0800 073 0428

Following the internship, I was pleased to be offered a position creating content and doing community outreach. I wouldn’t be where I am without LIFT!

To find out more about careers in digital technology, check out Local Insiders: Digital Jobs – a series of short videos produced in partnership with LIFT and Good Growth Hub, featuring Samira: liftfutures.london/ our-work/digital-jobs