Lisa Dennis
After raising six children of her own, Castlemaine’s Beryl Grey opened her heart and her home to provide a safe and loving space for some of our region’s foster children.
During Foster Care Week (September 11-17) she is encouraging other local residents to consider doing the same.
Australia is facing a dire shortage of carers to support the 46,000 vulnerable children currently in foster care.
Anglicare Victoria, the state’s largest foster care agency, is in need of 90 more carers to meet demand.
Beryl, 64, cares for four young children, said it was a natural progression after becoming an empty nester.
“I saw an old school friend recently and she recalled that all I wanted to be when I grew up was a ‘mum’. I love it,” Beryl said.
“After my children were grown, I would occasionally mind the child of a family friend here and there, and then I took in one of my nephews for a time.
“My niece is also a foster carer in Queensland and she encouraged me to take the next step and become a foster carer.”
Beryl has been a foster carer with Anglicare Victoria for almost five years now.
“They provide you with fantastic support. There is always someone there on the other end of the line if you need them and you can opt to provide respite care, short term care or long term care.
“I cared for a young girl who was able to be reunified with her family and we still keep in touch. She recently turned 18.
“I have kept in touch with most of the kids and families I have supported. It’s lovely.”
Beryl is currently caring for three siblings and another young child.
When the three siblings entered Beryl’s care two of them were unable to talk and all three presented with significant learning delays.
Beryl has provided immense support through formal and informal learning activities to progress their learning and they have all made significant progress.
However, at the beginning of 2021, Beryl and her young chargers faced an obstacle when they became homeless following the sale of her home.
Due to the local rental crisis, Beryl struggled to find a home big enough for herself and the four young people she cared for.
“We applied for around 60 to 70 properties but we were unable to secure a home before the settlement. We were forced to move into a BnB in Bendigo,” Beryl said.
She remained optimistic throughout this time and was supported by Anglicare Victoria to find a five-bedroom home in Castlemaine, keeping her and the children connected to their local schools and community.
“We were able to return to our home and community. It’s so important to maintain those connections,” she said.
Beryl said Anglicare held various social and networking events so carers could meet and connect with others.
“There are also plenty of services available to support the young people in your care,” she said.
“They have access to doctors, psychologists, paediatricians, whatever supports they need, and Anglicare can arrange to get them to appointments it you can’t make it to every single one.”
To enquire about being a foster carer, go to anglicarevic.org.au/fostering or call 1800 809 722.
To donate during Foster Care Week, go to donate.anglicarevic.org.au
