Foster carers from across Redcar and Cleveland will join forces with the council’s fostering team on Friday, September 20, at a ‘meet the carers’ event taking place between 10.00 am and 12 noon at Kirkleatham Walled Gardens, Redcar.
The event, part of a drive to recruit more local foster carers in the area, will provide anyone thinking about becoming a foster carer with the opportunity to find out more about fostering from existing foster carers and the fostering team over a slice of cake and a coffee.
There’s no need to book a place, just feel free to pop in any time between 10am and 12pm on the day.
Cabinet Member for Children, Cllr Bill Suthers, said:
“The number of children in the care of the local authority has increased dramatically over the last decade which has led to a shortage in foster carers.
“The council is looking for families, couples and individuals from all backgrounds to place children in high quality local foster placements, where they have a stable home environment and the support to help them grow, develop and realise their potential.
“If you are thinking about taking that first step to become a foster carer then come along to the ‘meet the carers’ event and find out what it takes to become a foster carer from the experts.”
Existing foster carers like Duncan, Nikki and Gillian and Helen will be on hand during the event to talk about their fostering journey.
Redcar foster carer Helen Laing who has fostered for four years with her husband, said:
“I foster because I love children and want to make a difference to their lives.
“The best thing about fostering is seeing the difference you make to a child’s life by providing a safe and loving home and showing them that life can be fun.”
Foster carers Nikki Hart and Gillian Dove from East Cleveland who have fostered for eight years, added:
“We foster because we have room in our house and space in our hearts and want to make a positive difference to the lives of children and young people.
“It’s the most rewarding thing we have ever done. Our advice for anyone thinking about it is to go for it.”
Foster carer Duncan Lindsay from Eston who has fostered for over 12 years with his wife, added:
“I saw some advertising on a billboard about fostering and mentioned it to my wife who had already been thinking about becoming a foster carer as well. The process is very thorough and took a while, but we have never looked back.”
If you think you can make a difference to the life of a young person find out more on 20 September, 10.00am – 12.00 noon, Kirkleatham Walled Gardens, Plantation Road, Redcar, TS10 4QT or contact the fostering team on 01642 444087 or visit www.fostering.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk for further details.