People across Cumbria are being encouraged to consider fostering.
Monday is the start of Foster Care Fortnight, the UK’s largest awareness-raising campaign for foster care.
It will shine a light on the everyday realities of fostering, highlighting the profound impact foster carers have on children and young people’s lives. It celebrates the skills, commitment and love carers show – often in incredibly challenging circumstances.
With around 730 children in care and around 275 carers in Cumbria, there is a growing need for more foster carers to provide safe, stable homes for children and young people— particularly for siblings, older children and those with more complex needs.
To mark the campaign, Cumbria Fostering is launching a new film featuring foster carers from across the county.
Headteacher Sally Linsley, of Appleby, is a shared carer who provides shorts breaks once a month to a family with a child with a disability.
She said: “Don’t be put off by thinking you have to foster full-time and do a lot all the time. You can do a little bit often and it can make a big difference.”
Short-term foster carer Caz Mullen, of Barrow, said she would encourage those thinking about fostering to take the first step during Foster Care Fortnight.
She saidL “Take that jump – we need more foster carers.”
A series of informal information events are taking place across Cumbria during Foster Care Fortnight, giving people the chance to meet foster carers and staff, ask questions and learn more in a relaxed, no-pressure setting.
Events
- Tuesday May 12 – Penrith Library, noon to 2pm
- Wednesday May 13 – Kendal Library, noon to 1pm
- Tuesday May 19 – Workington Library, noon 2pm
- Wednesday May 20 – Online event, 6pm to 7pm (register via Cumbria Fostering’s website cumbriafostering.org.uk)
- Saturday May 23 – Furness Pride, Barrow Park, from noon
No booking is required for the in-person events.
