Home Local News County Council Celebrates Foster Care Fortnight

County Council Celebrates Foster Care Fortnight

0
Photograph posed by models

Lancashire County Council is holding a number of events throughout the county to celebrate Foster Care Fortnight and recruit new carers who can #changeafuture.

Foster Care Fortnight is the UK’s biggest foster care awareness raising campaign, delivered by fostering charity The Fostering Network. It will take place this year between Monday 13 May and Sunday 26 May.

Barbara Bath, head of the adoption, fostering, residential and youth offending service at Lancashire County Council, said: “We are pleased to take part in this great campaign, which showcases the commitment, passion and dedication of carers who can change the future for children and young people by their actions.

“It also supports fostering services to highlight the need for more carers. We are always looking for new foster carers for the range of children who come into our care each week, with the greatest need being for foster carers for older children, sibling groups and children with additional needs.

“The theme of Foster Care Fortnight this year is that foster care changes futures, and we fully support this. We know this isn’t just the lives of the children and young people who are fostered, it also has the power to change the lives of foster carers, their families and all those who are involved in fostering.

“Fostering has the potential to be life-changing for children and young people. Many people have had a moment in their life that they can look back on and know that their future changed at that time. We’re hoping that people remember this and decide to #changeafuture themselves.”

You can spread the word about Foster Care Fortnight and get involved with the campaign on social media by using the hashtag #changeafuture. You’ll find out more about the campaign and how you can help by visiting The Fostering Network website.

As well as the number of events taking place throughout the county, there will also be a Fostering Information Evening at County Hall on Wednesday 22 May at 6pm. There is no need to book, but please arrive early to avoid disappointment. You will have the opportunity to meet experienced social workers and current carers and ask questions.

No formal experience or qualifications are needed to be a foster carer, all you need is an available spare room and a desire to make a difference to a local child’s life.

A package of support is available 24/7 to help foster carers in their role, including local support groups, their own social worker, a dedicated helpline and flexible training.

Some of the community events across the county that are being held during Foster Care Fortnight are:
• 13 May – 10am to 2pm: Lane Ends Surgery, 200 Tulketh Brow, Preston, PR2 2JH
• 14 May – 9.30am-2.30pm: Main entrance, Ormskirk Hospital, Ormskirk, L39 2AZ
• 16 May – 9am to 5pm: Royal Preston Hospital, Sharoe Green Lane, Fulwood, Preston, PR3 9HT
• 17 May – 9am to 5pm: Royal Preston Hospital, Sharoe Green Lane, Fulwood, Preston, PR3 9HT
• 18 May – 10.30am to 2.30pm: Barton Grange Garden Centre, Garstang Road, Barton, PR3 0BT
• 19 May – 12 noon to 4pm: Preston Rock N’ Bowl, 50 Greenbank Street, Preston, PR1 7PH
• 20 May – 10am to 2pm: Mini’s Party and Play Centre, The Old Brewery, 60-62 Lodge Street, Preston PR1 8XE
• 20 May – 12 noon to 3pm: The Glass House, Market Street, Colne
• 21 May – 10am to 3pm: The Glass House, Market Street, Colne
• 23 May – 10am to 3pm: The Glass House, Market Street, Colne
• 23 May – 10am to 2pm: Lane Ends Surgery, 200 Tulketh Brow, Preston PR2 2JH
• 24 May – 9am to 5pm: Sainsbury’s, Active Way, Burnley BB11 1BS

Events are also being held at the following Nationwide Building Society branches:
• 20 May – 10am to 2pm: 14/16 Market Street, Lancaster, LA1 1HX
• 21 May – 10am to 3pm: 41 Fishergate, Preston PR1 2AD
• 22 May – 10am to 2pm: 80 St James Street, Burnley, BB11 1PH
• 23 May – 10am to 2pm: 62 Church Street, Garstang, PR3 1YA
• 25 May – 9am to 12pm: 25 Euston Road, Morecambe, LA4 5DF

Barbara Bath added: “Anyone interested in becoming a foster carer is invited to go along to any of our community events and talk to our friendly fostering team in an informal setting, at a venue near where you live. If there’s nothing in your area at the moment, please keep checking our website as new events are being added all the time.”

If you’re unable to come along to an event, you can still call the fostering recruitment team on 0300 123 6723 or visit the website www.lancashire.gov.uk/fostering

More information about The Fostering Network, and this year’s campaign is available at www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/fcf19

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here