A Stevenage woman who has changed the lives of 17 children over the last five years has been nominated in this year’s Comet Community Awards.

Each year these awards recognise people in our community who go above and beyond, with Elaine Kingston nominated for the Carer of the Year category for her “outstanding” work as a foster carer.

Elaine has been put forward by a Herts County Council social worker, who asked to remain anonymous. She told the Comet: “I am nominating Elaine as I observed her in transforming the lives of three children over the past year.

“She was able to gently guide and support children of differing ages whom had experienced severe neglect and physical abuse.

“The children spent almost a year with Elaine and she was able to show them that not all adults are ‘scary’ and how to accept love and affection. “Elaine made these three children part of her family straight away and went above and beyond the duties of a foster carer by prioritising their regular health appointments, needs and weekly commitments – above that of her own needs, as well as that of her own family.

“She is an outstanding foster carer for Hertfordshire County Council and has fostered 17 children over the past five years.

“She and her husband Martin have many skills as foster carers. They are completely child-focused and have a lovely way with the children they care for to often make a difficult situation as positive as it can be.

“They are also able to put in appropriate boundaries for children of differing ages as well as teach children basic care skills that they may not have learnt at home, for example teaching children to eat with cutlery – which they do with patience and kindness.

“Elaine always ensures that her home feels welcoming and safe as soon as you enter and she naturally has a warm aura.

“Her ability to always place the child first, her ability to be the child’s voice, her skill in seeing outside of the box and her willingness to support children through extremely difficult times is something that is hard to come by and I believe she should be recognised by winning this award.”

Elaine said: “It is such a lovely surprise to be nominated. I love looking after children that have come to stay with us and I’m lucky enough to remain in contact with some of them. I could not do this job without the support of my amazing family and friends.”

To nominate someone for one of our 12 categories visit cometcommunityawards.co.uk.