Helping to build through practical and physical education

Access to physical education and outdoor activity can be key to children’s recovery from trauma. When young children receive the support and praise from their foster carers to build their self-esteem, they can achieve excellence.

We hope you like reading about what these young people have achieved, thanks to the opportunities offered to them by our fostering teams.  

Max

Max, a practical 16 year old, has delighted his teachers and carers by passing his tractor driving exams, allowing him to apply for a provisional driving license to be able to work in the fields. This has been a long held dream of his which, his carers say,  has at times felt out of reach: Max attends a specialist educational provision and with this comes perceived limitations due to his differences to the “norm”.  Nevertheless Max persevered and with support from his amazing foster family has finally achieved his wish to qualify as an agricultural worker. Max has also attended and passed a City and Guilds strimming and brush cutting course. (Investing in Children have praised our work with Max – see above)   

Ellie

Ellie is a primary school age child who is showing real sporting prowess after her placement with an active family in the South East. Amazingly she has already completed a triathlon alongside Mike, her foster carer. It was a huge  undertaking for her and a real personal challenge to finish the entire course. At the end Ellie said that despite how hard it was, she was determined to do another one!! Energetic Ellie has also received certificates for exceptional work in dance. (Not only this, she has become a Young Assessor in Five Rivers’ new ‘Bid for Better’ competition to suggest innovative projects to benefit our young people.) 

Ben

Ben has had a great term at his primary school who nominated him for the school council! He also achieved his ‘Bikeability Level 1’  and was invested as a scout, attending scout camp where he stayed under canvas this year – a step up from last year when stayed in a dorm as a cub!

Charlie 

Three years ago Charlie, then aged 7,  joined a family who understood and supported his complex disabilities. Since then, Charlie has blossomed – he has learned to swim, to move around freely with his own mobility aid, and to take part in all sorts of activities at school with great enthusiasm. 

Can you help?

These are just a few of the amazing sporting and physical achievements of our young people in fostering care up and down the country. 

Where possible Five Rivers matches children with foster families who have similar interests. Are you an active person who feels they could offer a better future to a young person? You could be a foster carer. Find out more about a career in fostering below.       

NB: We have changed all names to protect the identities of children in care.