Anita Barnard from Driffield has been given the honour of Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) from His Majesty The King, in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2025.
Anita has received the honour for services to foster care. She began fostering for East Riding of Yorkshire Council fifteen years ago.
Anita said: “I am delighted to have been given this honour! I still don’t know who nominated me, but I’d like to use the opportunity to encourage others to consider fostering.
“I moved to East Riding 17 years ago when I retired, and my plan was always to move into fostering after retiring. Throughout my working life I’d worked with children and families, and I knew I had the experience and the desire to help children at times in their lives when they needed it most.”
Anita has fostered children and young people; from babies just days old, to 17 and 18 year old young people, and sibling groups. The shortest foster placement has been overnight, and the longest has been a five-year foster care placement. She has even taken in the children’s pets – from a pet duck, to cats and a dog.
Anita said: “Every child or young person has individual needs, and I’ve supported each of them in different ways. With fostering you go through highs and lows, just like any family. There are challenges along the way, but it is the most rewarding thing to do – to make a real different to a child’s life. One of the young people I fostered, I supported her through school and she has gone on to University, and I’m so proud of her and what she is achieving.”
“I try to stay in contact with the children or young people when they move on from my care, if they want to. I think its valuable for them to know they can get in touch for support or advice if they need it, and I really value the friendship. My birthday card list is huge!”
Anita began fostering at age 70, and has now retired from fostering after 15 years. She continues to support young people as a supported lodgings provider, providing a supportive environment for those leaving care and helping them gain skills for an independent adult life.
She continued: “I’d like to encourage others to consider fostering, whatever your age or status. It has been a highly positive experience for me, and I’ve had support and training from East Riding throughout. I am so proud of the young people I’ve cared for and I’m delighted to have been able to help them in their life journey.”
Councillor Victoria Aitken, cabinet member for children, families and education said: “Anita is a truly amazing lady that has helped children when they’ve needed it the most. She absolutely deserves this honour. Congratulations and thank you on behalf of East Riding Council.”
Anita will collect her MBE medal at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
Find out more about fostering with East Riding: Tel (01482) 394095, email:fosteringrecruitment@eastriding.gov.uk, search on Facebook: East Riding Fostering.
