Shropshire foster couple retire after 40 years of dedication

An incredible Oswestry couple who have offered a loving home to over 100 children over four decades are now retiring. 

Foster carers Pat and Mavis Humby, who have cared for babies and children since 1972, are Shropshire’s longest-serving foster carers. 

In recognition of their enormous contribution, the inspirational couple were presented with their award at a celebratory event hosted by Shropshire Council’s children’s placement service yesterday (Tuesday 19 March 2013).  The award marked both their long term service and dedication to fostering, as well as retirement from the rewarding role. 

The Humbys are one of 98 foster carers in the county who provide a safe, caring and nurturing home environment for children in need.  It’s almost 40 years since the first child stepped over their threshold, and with nearly a ‘century’ of foster children under their belt, very little now fazes them.  

The couple took on their very first child when their own boy and girl were aged three and four.  In addition to their own two children and two grandchildren, the couple still maintain contact with and support a large number of the children they cared for, many of whom are now adults and have children of their own. 

Mavis, after being presented with a bouquet at the ceremeony, said: 

“Both Pat and myself have thoroughly enjoyed giving children the best start in life and helping them on to a secure and loving home.  We have been really fortunate in seeing many of them grow up to be parents themselves. 

“If I had a chance I would do it all over again; fostering is incredibly rewarding and we have had many, many happy memories of the children who have come to stay – including all the holidays in our caravan over the years.  But it can sometimes be extremely hard work.” 

Kath Edwards, Shropshire Council’s head of children’s safeguarding, said: 

“Foster carers like the Pat and Mavis do a fantastic, rewarding job, and do so much to enrich the lives of children and young people; they are a real credit to our communities.

“I would like to wish them all the best for the future and thank them for the care they’ve given to children in Shropshire.”

Chris Dennison, Shropshire Council’s children’s placement and joint adoption manager, added: 

“Pat and Mavis are truly inspirational.  They have opened their home and cared for so many children who’ve had a difficult start in life.

“They will be sadly missed, but we feel they have earned a quieter pace of life after 40 years of such a contribution to the lives of vulnerable children in Shropshire. 

“We wish them all the best on their retirement, and on behalf of everybody in the fostering team and the children whose lives they’ve touched, we’d like to say a huge thank you.” 

The Fostering Network estimates that UK fostering services need to recruit a further 9,000 foster families in the next 12 months. 

To find out more about fostering, or if you are interested in becoming a foster carer, please call our free phone enquiry line on 0800 7838 798.

You can also visit our new website at www.roominyourheartforadoption.co.uk . A video on life as a carer, featuring other carers from around the county, is also available to watch here on YouTube. 

Foster carers receive full training, ongoing support and a generous package of allowances and fees depending on experience.  

Further information 

*Almost 62,000 children live with over 50,000 foster families across the UK each day.

This is about four-fifths of all the children in care in the UK (excluding the minority who live at home with their parents).

 *source: the Fostering Network.