Gympie Anglicare on drive for more foster carers

Gympie Anglicare Children and Families wants more foster carers to join its 75-strong team, saying the region’s at-risk youth need to be given the best chance possible to stay in the region.

Andrew Nethercott and Alisha Wason are the team behind a push to increase the number of foster carers in Gympie.

One of Gympie’s largest foster care services is calling for more people to put their hand up and welcome youth into their home in an effort to keep the region’s at-risk youth at home in the area.

Gympie Anglicare Children and Families wants more foster carers to join its 75-strong team and to help give the region’s youth the best chance possible.

And they want anyone worried about not being capable of doing the job to know they will have the support of a stellar team: Gympie You Be You.

Alisha Wason has been part of that team for more than 12 years, helping provide training, education, and support to volunteer foster carers who support children 24/7.

“Often, people tell me, ‘I have thought about fostering for years, but never thought I could do it’ or they will say ‘we were nervous about making contact’,” Mrs Wason said.

Gympie You Be You gives assistance to the region’s foster carers, and wants to add to the 75 already working across the region.

“The staff at You Be You are easy to talk to and are very approachable and I personally, would love spending time with you to help you decide if foster care might be the right thing for you.

“My favourite positive experience as a practitioner is seeing young people feel a sense of connection in a safe relationship.

“You can visibly see the healing.

“Remember, everybody needs somebody, you might be that somebody to make that change for a child or young person!”

She is joined by Andrew Nethercott, who was now in his fourth year with GYBY.

“I really enjoy when children and young adults who I have supported previously approach me in the street to catch up and update me on how they are going and what they are up to,” Mr Nethercott said.

“My goal this year is to increase the pool of approved carers so local children are supported to stay in Gympie, and allow You Be You to match the right carer with the right children, creating safe, stable and supportive care provision.”

For those considering becoming a foster carer, Mrs Wason said the team at You Be You are easy to talk to and can help you throughout the process.

Originally published as Gympie Anglicare on drive for more foster carers