Annmarie Martin

I was doing home visits with a mam, and I felt in my gut she wasn't telling me her full story of why she wanted or needed home visits. After 6 months, she disclosed that she had had a baby a few years before, and the baby had passed away, and she was afraid it would happen again. Her relationship had broken down, and she had got into a new relationship very quickly. Her new partner was controlling and controlled the money, and he did the shopping, etc, the only money she had was the children's allowance. We travelled the recovery road together. with a little encouragement, she trained as a Zumba instructor and then went back to college, where she became a social worker. She now goes over to Poland to see her parents often.

I thought of a way for more parents to hear about our service, so we got a mascot BOBBY BEAR. He was named by our Silverarch Preschools. I ran a social media compitation " Where is Bobby Bear?". Placed BB in shops, the local cattle mart and eateries.

I organised a Sensory Santa Experience for a number of years for children who are neurodivergent. 50+ children each year got to see santa having a 30 min slot per family. Each neurodivergent received a sensory present and sibling got a gift too.

I was engaging in home visits with a mam who was referred through peri mental health . She has 2 children and finding it hard to bond . She had a very tough childhood and her trauma was coming through in her

parenting style. I went back to basics with her parenting getting down on the floor and 10 minutes quality play,etc. enjoying the joy.

encouraged her to do counselling and go to her GP. I went to mental health appointments with her, she has since being diagnosed with bipolar and coping well on medication. she is now doing a PLC in nursing.

Money in our sector is scarce so i came up with an idea a SKYDIVE. 8 people jumped out of a plane at 13000 feet, including some of our mams . over 10000 was raised . A proud moment.

• reading, podcasts and making memories

We received a Civic Recognition for fostering last year.

I have gone to college this year doing level 6 in Child Psychology.

Fostering Connections, Circle of Security, Baby Massage, Infant Mental Health, Braincalm,

Touchpoints, Newborn Behavioural Observations, Attuned in Practice, Trauma Informed Care, Mellow Bumps, Marto Meo, Creative parenting for complex problems, First Aid, Meitheal training, FASD training, Adverse Childhood Experiences awareness(ACE), Solution talk training, Impact on Trauma, The Contented Child, Behaviour as Communication, Behavioural Disorders, Understanding and responding to anxiety in children, Understanding Traumatised Children's Behaviour, Mindful parenting , Neurdiversity training, Promoting positive behaviour and learning at home,

When I was 13 years old, I started working in my first retail job, O'Shea's newsagents. I worked part-time while going to secondary school. I worked in various retail sectors, from newsagents to hardware, to became a manager at Emo filling station for 10+ years. I loved retail but was drawn to fostering, so in 2010, we became foster carers.