Erdington couple who fostered 80 children over 22 years honoured by High Street opticians
Post on 31st March 2026
An Erdington married couple who have fostered around 80 children over the past 22 years have had their unwavering kindness recognised with a special community award.
Javaid and Samina Iqbal are the latest recipients of Scrivens Opticians & Hearing Care’s Community Hero Award. They were presented with the honour by the company’s Erdington branch team on High Street, along with a bouquet, luxury hamper and a £100 voucher.
The couple were nominated by Erdington branch manager Michael Nazir, who was himself fostered as a child. He said: “Javaid and Samina have been coming to us for over 20 years, with their own family and their foster children. I’ve seen first-hand the difference they make – giving young people stability, a home life and ongoing support and I know from personal experience how much that matters.
“They are a true inspiration. They haven’t just changed the lives of the children in their care, they’ve touched everyone lucky enough to know them. They are genuine Community Heroes.”
The Iqbals, who were awarded British Empire Medals (BEMs) in 2023, began fostering when their two eldest children were just one and two years old. They went on to have two more children, and today their four kids – aged 24, 23, 18 and 14 – have grown up knowing nothing different. Their two daughters have followed a path into social work, while their eldest son is a railway engineer who is also hoping to become a foster parent himself.
Their fostering journey has not always been straightforward. Samina received the all-clear last year following treatment for breast cancer, yet the couple continued to foster throughout her chemotherapy and radiotherapy and currently care for four long-term youngsters.
Javaid said: “Fostering brings so much satisfaction, reward and joy. Many of the children we’ve welcomed into our home over the years have become extended family. Growing up alongside them has given our own children a deep sense of empathy – something that feels increasingly rare. The last couple of years have been tough, so this award has put a real smile on our faces to match Samina’s remission.”
To find out more about fostering, contact Birmingham Children’s Trust on 0121 303 7575.
Scrivens Opticians & Hearing Care is a family-run business established in 1938, with 166 high street stores across England and Wales and 1,000 employees. For more information, visit www.scrivens.com.