Bradford Children and Families Trust honoured its dedicated foster carers at the annual foster carer awards celebration, held this year at Headley Venue in Thornton, on Tuesday 30 September 2025.
The event recognised the outstanding dedication of Bradford’s foster carers, those who have been fostering for 5 years through to carers who have welcomed children into their homes for decades. It was the first year that carers who had recently retired were also invited to attend.
Charlotte Ramsden, Bradford Children and Families Trust’s chief executive, said:
“The awards highlighted the extraordinary commitment of our fostering and kinship families, who, over many years, strive to achieve the best for those children in their care.
“It was an honour to celebrate with our incredible foster carers this week.
“It was inspiring to hear from two foster carers, Lisa and Tina, who bravely shared their deeply moving and personal fostering journeys, and it was wonderful to be able to share in the joint celebrations with all the fostering families at the event.
“This celebration gave the Trust a chance to say thank you to our foster families, who make such a difference, for everything they do for our children and young people.”
48 foster and kinship families were awarded certificates for completing 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years of fostering. 7 recently retired fostering families, who had been foster carers for 17, 19, 22, 23, 30, 44 and 45 years, were also celebrated. Collectively, over 655 years of fostering service, providing stable, loving homes and support, care and guidance to local children and young people who can’t live with their birth families, were honoured.
George and Irene Leacock retired this year after 44 years fostering.
Approved as ‘link’ foster carers for Bradford in October 1981, Irene and George provided a safe, nurturing and loving home to more than 75 children, many of whom still consider them family, staying in touch and whose children consider them their grandparents.
George and Irene opened their home to children who needed short term (used to be called ‘link’ fostering) and long term care.
George and Irene demonstrated the very best of fostering – unwavering commitment, respect for every child in their care and a powerful drive to make a long-lasting impact on the lives of the many children they fostered.
Linzi Nicholson, Foster for Bradford’s service manager, said:
“Our fostering awards celebration is always an emotional event, filled with love and joy for Bradford’s fostering community. It’s my favourite day of the working year. It was heartwarming, emotional and awe inspiring!
“It is so important for us to remember that our foster carers are at the centre of Bradford Children and Families Trust and it was a pleasure to show how much we value them.”
Roslyn and Alban Pepper received a long service award for their 10 years as kinship foster carers.
Now 81, Ros and Alban became kinship carers for their four grandchildren, who were 5, 7, 10 and 11 at the time. Since then, their lives changed dramatically from planning to travel and take things easy following their retirement to lives that revolve around school and children’s activities, but they wouldn’t have it any other way.
Their four grandchildren have been able to grow up with their brother and sisters together. And Ros and Alban count their blessings that they have had another chance to share again all the joys of primary school assemblies and Christmas activities and watching the grandchildren enjoy rugby, football, dance and gymnastics.
Bradford Children and Families Trust’s fostering service, Foster for Bradford, is looking for more compassionate individuals and families to become full-time and part-time foster carers.
Bradford offers one of the most competitive payment and benefits packages in West Yorkshire, where foster carers can earn up to £628.40 per week for looking after one child.
The support package also includes a comprehensive training and support package, including therapeutic foster care training, one-to-one support from a social worker, personal development plans, support groups and peer-support led by Bradford Independent Foster Carers’ Association, a diverse and entertaining enrichment package including access to UK-based caravan holidays, physical activities, theatre trips, residential stays and family parties.