Peterborough residents urged to sign up to become a foster carer

Foster Care Fortnight runs from May 10 - 23 and is the UK’s largest foster care awareness raising campaign and aims to show the positive impact foster care makes on children and young people.

This year the focus is on asking everyone who cares about the lives of children and young people to stand up and tell the world #WhyWeCare by taking action and fostering for their local authority. The service particularly needs carers who can support children and young people between 10-15 years old, sibling groups of brothers and sisters and short breaks ‘Link’ foster carers for children with disabilities.

Foster carers accomplish incredible things every day, even in the face of the global pandemic that has affected every one of us and impacted all aspects of our lives. Despite the practical and emotional challenges that the coronavirus has brought upon us, foster carers continue to provide day-to-day support, love and stability to children and young people who can’t live with their birth families.

Wendi Ogle-Welbourn, Executive Director: People and Communities for both Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Councils, said: “Our Foster Carers and their families are amazing – their generosity in sharing their homes and lives with our most vulnerable children is exceptional. Every-day foster carers and their families are making a positive difference. The dedication, kindness and support that our children and young people experience ensures they have the best possible opportunities to achieve their dreams. Please show you ‘care enough’ and consider becoming a fostering family, it can be challenging at times, but the rewards outweigh the challenges. Get in touch with us today. “

“Anyone who is interested can find out more about the process by getting in contact with us or you can come along to one of our virtual information sessions on the 4th or 26th May from 6-8pm, you can book by emailing [email protected].”

People should not rule themselves out or let ‘myths’ stop them from making an enquiry.

· Depending which type of fostering you choose, working is not a barrier so contact the council to find out more.

· You are never too old to foster - experience is welcomed!

· If you have your own children or no children, the council want to hear from you.

· The council don’t expect foster carers to be perfect, they want people who can offer safe, secure and loving homes.

· You can be in a same sex relationship, married, single or living with a partner.

· The council welcome carers from all walks of life, all backgrounds, races, ethnicities and genders.

Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council encourage you to find out more about fostering, visit: www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/fostering email [email protected] or call 0800 052 0078 or www.peterborough.gov.uk/fostering email [email protected] or call 0800 328 8433.