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As a busy occupational therapist working for Scope, Alison Hayes from Euroa knows how important it is to provide support to others in her community.

So, becoming a foster carer for Berry Street was an obvious choice.

Alison has been a respite carer for around two years and has witnessed first-hand how much of a difference one person can make in a child’s life.

“I started respite care through COVID,” she said.

“At the time I was doing tele-health from home, lived on my own and had a spare room, so thought ‘why not?’.

“My role ideally relieves the full-time carers, parents or guardians for a regular break. Mostly weekends but sometimes I have had children for a bit longer.

“It’s super rewarding and I enjoy hanging out with the kids.

“We play board games, watch movies and spend time in the kitchen baking muffins and cookies — it’s fun.

“I always follow the child’s lead with what they may want to do.

“Some are happy to forget the worries of the world and just play, but at times others may seek my advice and talking is okay, too. Sometimes there are tears.

“Opening you home to a child in need is one of the most impactful things you can do to support your community, and Berry Street welcomes people of all backgrounds. The training process was very thorough as well.

“Foster carers like me play an important role in giving these children loving and safe homes and helping them to imagine a brighter future for themselves. I have and continue to enjoy being a part of that.

“I feel like I have personally gotten so much more out of it than I have ever put in, and helping support a child’s life is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done in my life.”

If you are over the age of 21 and can offer a child their own room, you can apply to be a foster carer.

Berry Street provides support from experienced staff with all the training and programs to develop your skills as a foster carer.

For more information, call Berry Street on 5822 8100 or visit: berrystreet.org.au/fostercare