Members of the LGBT+ community are being asked to consider fostering and adoption, as part of a national campaign.
LGBT+ Adoption and Fostering Week returns next week and Cumbria County Council is urging people to find out more at events taking place.
Claire and Rosie Crewdson-Price, of Egremont, foster teenagers.
Rosie said: “I would encourage anyone thinking about fostering to attend an event and find out more. You get a lot of rewards from it and you can have a big impact on the life of a young person.”
The council’s fostering service already supports around 275 fostering households but with close to 725 children in care across Cumbria, there are still many children in care whose lives could be transformed by an LGBT foster carer, the council said.
While there is a need for foster carers for children of all ages, there is a particular need for carers who can offer long term homes to older children and teenagers.
To become a foster carer you must be over 21 and have a least one spare bedroom in your home, as well as the time and commitment to make a difference in a child’s life.
Councillor Anne Burns, cabinet member for children’s services, said: “Cumbria County Council’s fostering service is proud to support LGBT+ Adoption & Fostering Week again this year and we hope that by doing so, we can reach even more people across the county who can join our fantastic team of foster carers and help give vulnerable children and young people the best start in life.
“Our events offer a fantastic opportunity to find out more about the excellent training and support we offer and to hear from one of our many LGBT+ carers who will tell you what it was like for them to foster and will also be happy to answer your questions.”
An online drop-in event will be held on Wednesday between 1pm and 2pm and on Friday, a drop-in event will be held at Costa Coffee in The Lanes Shopping Centre, Carlisle from noon to 2pm.
