It is Foster Care fortnight and the search is on for new carers. A Hampshire grandmother tells KATE THOMPSON why she decided to foster troubled youths...

AT THE age when most women might be opting for a quieter life, Helen Wilson is busier than ever offering a home to some of Hampshire's most troubled teenagers.

The 62-year-old grandmother gave up her job as a cleaner to look after youngsters who had fallen foul of the law - and she loves every minute of it.

"When you get to my age, you could spend your time knitting or watching TV but I believe you are as old as you feel.

"I get the chance to play golf, visit museums and fly a kite - I am showing these young people there is a different side to life," she said.

Helen started caring for youngsters who were on remand. They spent half their sentence in a young offenders' unit or secure accommodation - and the rest of the time was spent in Helen's home.

"I had to have a lot of training to be able to do this but basically I am bringing up naughty children - and I do the same things I did with my own five children.

"I am open and honest with them and make them feel safe and secure.

"Life here is very structured and we have house rules," she said.

One of Helen's greatest successes was with a teenager called Lisa.

"They weren't going to let me have her because she had so many issues.

"She wasn't allowed to stay with any foster carers in Southampton, she couldn't go to any children's homes and she had been banned from school.

"She was a really streetwise kid, who had been living on the street. She was involved in prostitution and everything that goes with drug-taking.

"I said I would give it a go - but she ran away straight away. I told her she had two days to get it out of her system and come back - or I would have to give up on her.

"She came back and we started from scratch," said Helen.

With a great deal of hard work on both sides, Lisa was able to turn her life around. She went to college to get her GCSEs and when it came time for her to leave, she remained with Helen in supported lodgings.

"She is 19 now and working for the MoD. She's engaged, she has her own flat and she hasn't re-offended again," she said.

More recently Helen has moved into intensive foster care, working one-to-one with troubled teenagers.

"I love a challenge. If everything goes right with them it can be so rewarding.

"I hate it when they have to leave but a lot of them stay in touch.

"It is 101 per cent, 24 hours a day job but I've had 37 kids living with me - and never had a problem with them," she said.

NCH Wessex Community Project Fostering Open Day takes place this afternoon from 2pm - 4pm The Novotel Hotel, 1 West Quay Road, Southampton. For information call 01329 225 720 or email: wessex.community.projects@nch.org.uk