At The CFT we talk about family ALOT.
We talk about supporting families to keep them together, providing space for families to heal and develop or starting them from scratch – bringing adults and children together to form families that aren’t related by birth but see the incredible potential in one another.
When people work for or alognside us at The Children’s Family Trust, they have a support network for life.
This isn’t a value that is reserved for foster carers, young care experienced people or because it ‘sounds good’ in recruitment campaigns. It permeates every facet of our working relationships. So when members of staff need support, we stick by eachother and demonstrate togetherness that each and every one of us at The CFT enjoy when times get tough.
Supporting our staff
Anne-Marie, Registered Manager for our West Yorkshire team embodies many incredible traits that we see in action all the time – strength, emotional resilience and resourcefulness that drive the successes of her team and the foster carers she and her team support. Right now, these are firmly trained on the ultimate adversity, providing urgent medical care for her husband Darren, who is suffering from Oligodendroglioma, a slow-growing brain tumour that will eventually take his life. Having exhausted the means of treatment in this country, the Shields family are turning to medical professionals abroad who are prepared to take on the surgeries and aftercare required to prolong Darren’s life.
Anne-Marie writes
“We know bad things happen to good people everyday but contemplating being a widow at 37 and being separated from the person that is half of you is heartbreaking and something I will not accept easily. I feel it is my duty as a mother and wife to do all that I can to ensure that Darren has access to any options available that will prolong his life, and give him more time with a family that cherish and adore him.”
Read more about Darren’s condition here and the lengths the family are going to raise the critical funds for his treatment
Balancing work & personal challenges
Our Registered Managers provide so much for our teams, families and young people. They’re the conductors that our services revolve around. These are the extraordinary social workers who bare the responsibilities of each of our regional teams and despite the huge challenges she faces, Anne-Marie continues to balance her workload right up until the day she flies with Darren for surgery.
If you can support Anne-Marie and her family in their fight against this cruel and incurable disease, please give whatever you can. Every donation will help give Darren more time with his family, who adore him so much.
Access the GOFUNDME page here
