Norfolk foster carer, Barbie Howell receives MBE from Prince of Wales

A foster carer who has transformed the lives of more than 150 Norfolk children has received her MBE from Prince William, the Prince of Wales.  

Barbie Howell has shared her home and life with dozens of children in need, despite having to overcome many challenges in her own childhood.  

The second oldest of four sisters, Barbie's mum died when she was just five and she left school with no qualifications, at the age of 14. The family lived with friends and relatives for many years before settling in Stiffkey, in a home with limited amenities bar a cold tap in the kitchen.  

At 14, she started nannying and later met her now husband Ben. They decided to foster once they had started their own family, taking in their first child when their youngest daughter was just three months old. 

Barbie said: "Fundamentally, fostering is about love. Fostering is the joy of the journey. I've loved every minute, there's lots of ups and downs, but it's just the best. I've lost count of how many children we've fostered since we started. Some children have returned to their families and then come back again, some children have only stayed for a few weeks, some have stayed for years. 

"I can always relate to little ones, and they just talk to me. We have all the training with the council, but it's a natural instinct for me. Little things ping into my head, and I think, 'oh I'll try this or that' to help the child. I really think the struggle I had growing up helps." 

Three children, more than 150 foster children and 10 grandchildren later, Barbie and Ben have been fostering for 41 years.  

The children that they cared for were instrumental in Barbie's MBE nomination. Masterminded by her late friend and employer, Sue, numerous foster children wrote in support of her nomination. Carlos, who is now 40 and spent 21 years living with Barbie and Ben considers them to be mum and dad and his children see them as grandparents. He said: "I lived in a different world before I came into care. From the word go I gelled with Barbie. I knew that I was loved."  

Barbie and Ben's oldest daughter, Amy said: "As a child who fosters, you play a major part, but you don't really realise that at the time. Mum is incredibly good at sharing her time, she always has been. I think that's probably the secret to their success." 

Katy, their youngest daughter said: "As a parent myself now, always rushed off my feet I marvel at how they did it. They've always had so much time for us all and so much love to share."  

Cllr Penny Carpenter, cabinet member for Children's Social Services said: "People like Barbie Howell are unique. She represents the very essence of fostering; with quiet determination she and her family have given countless children a loving home, ensuring they are happy and well looked after, often going far further than the extra mile. The number of former foster children who were happy to write letters to contribute to her MBE nomination is truly humbling."   

Norfolk Fostering Service would love to hear from people interested in becoming foster carers.

Image credit: Amy Monahan-Fairlie