An urgent appeal has been launched to find more foster carers in Cumbria.
To mark the start of Foster Care Fortnight, which runs until May 23, Cumbria County Council is asking people to consider fostering as an option.
The council currently supports 225 foster carers, but with 750 children in care across the county, it urgently needs more people.
While there is a need for foster carers for children of all ages, the council would particularly like to hear from those who could offer long term homes for slightly older children and brothers and sisters.
Corey Love, 21, of Barrow, said foster care changed his life.
He said: “Young people coming into care have been through so much. My foster carers gave me the space I needed to deal with it all. But the one thing they did above all else was just to listen to me and help me to understand what I was feeling and why.”
Fiona and Bob Diamond, of Whitehaven, are long term foster carers for two sisters aged 16 and 18.
Fiona said: “All teenagers have a lot to cope with but for teens in care they have the added pressures which that brings.
“As foster carers you can have make a big difference and you don’t need any special skills, just to be a good listener, to have patience and not be too precious about things. I can’t imagine our life without the children in it now and they know we are here for them – this is their home for as long as they want it to be.”
Claire Lloyd, Service manager, Fostering & Adoption, said: “Foster Care Fortnight gives us the opportunity to acknowledge the amazing contribution made by our community of foster carers and to say thank you for everything they have done to keep Cumbrian children safe and supported in the face of a global pandemic.
“In what has been a particularly challenging year, our carers have worked tirelessly to support their children and young people’s education, health, and mental wellbeing, and they have also helped to maintain the children’s relationships with the people who are important to them.
“Foster carers can help to transform children’s lives and enable them to flourish, if you think you have what it takes then please get in touch with us or attend one of our events during Foster Care Fortnight.”
The council’s foster carers come from a variety of backgrounds and bring a wide range of life and work experiences with them. If you have at least one permanently spare room and have the time to support and nurture children and young people who’ve often had a difficult start in life, then we’d love to hear from you. In return you will receive an excellent package of support, training and generous payments and allowances.
An online information event takes place on Friday May 21, starting at 6.30pm with short presentation on fostering, followed by an opportunity to speak to our team and carers.
To find out more visit cumbria.gov.uk/fostering or call 0303 333 1216.
