A long-serving North Yorkshire foster carer who has offered stability and a place in her home for almost 80 children over three decades has been recognised in the New Year’s Honours.
And Ruth Ive said the recognition is not just for her, but for every foster carer who helps children feel safe, valued and cared for.
She also urged anyone who is considering signing up to be a foster carer to take the step into what she described as a “wonderful and valuable” role.
Ruth who lives with her husband, Andy, in Burton-in-Lonsdale on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, has received an MBE for her contribution to foster care.
The 67-year-old was so surprised when she received the email, she thought it was a scam.
“It’s not the kind of news you expect to receive via an email,” said Ruth. “I thought people are normally informed in the post, so I deleted the email. This was followed up by a second email which I also deleted. It wasn’t until a phone call from the Cabinet Office that I thought to myself, ‘this is real’.”
Ruth said fostering was not an issue that she and her husband knew a great deal about back in 1995, but once they completed the application process, they have thrived with offering dozens of children a new home over the years.
The mother-of-two said: “In the early days children were moved more frequently, sadly. We quickly came to the realisation that it was better for children to stay in one place and so we've tried to offer long-term fostering. There have been challenges over the years as well as joys and triumphs. I have never felt like giving up, three of our long-term children have become part of our family.”
Ruth went onto acknowledge the value of fostering and highlighted what a fulfilling role it is for those who choose to take it on.
“Foster carers do a wonderful, valuable job, often under very trying circumstances. It is emotional work but guided by standards and laws - that can be a difficult balancing act. “Thankfully, we have supervising social workers to support us and to whom we can turn to for advice and guidance.”
She added: “I do not feel that I particularly deserve this award more than any other carer. Andy has always supported me and encouraged our fostering career. This should be a joint award.
“Even after 30 years I still get really anxious before each new child comes, but we wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Fostering is open to single people, couples, those with children, renters and homeowners of all backgrounds. As of September this year, we have 419 children in foster care and there is an urgent need for more foster families to come forward.