Bury Council Celebrates the Children of Foster Carers While Launching New Campaign to Boost Fostering Support

This week, Bury Council’s Fostering Team is proud to celebrate the children of foster carers as part of The Fostering Network’s Children of Foster Carers' Week.

This annual campaign recognises the vital role birth and adopted children play within fostering families, supporting vulnerable children and young people in their care. To show our appreciation during ‘Children of Foster Carers week’ foster carer’s children in the family home will receive a thank you card and gift voucher from the council.

Many people worry about the impact of fostering on their own children. However, research shows that being part of a fostering family enriches children’s lives, broadening their perspectives and helping them develop empathy and resilience. The mutual support within fostering families benefits all children involved.

Bury Council is continuing to grow its community of foster carers to ensure local children can thrive in safe, loving homes close to where they live, and offering dedicated support and training to help more local carers make a lasting difference for children.

This month, Bury joined over 90 local authorities in launching a compelling new film, The Run, depicting the journey of Tom, a young boy whose life is transformed through fostering. The film captures both the challenges faced by children in care and the opportunities that foster families provide to create a safe, nurturing environment.

Cllr Lucy Smith, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: "Fostering changes lives and offers the chance to provide safety, stability, and hope to a vulnerable young person, and we are very grateful not only to our foster carers but also to their children for their vital support which is why we are proud to recognise and thank them during Children of Foster Carers Week.

“The new film The Run powerfully shows both the challenges children in care face and the hope that fostering brings. We would encourage anyone considering fostering to take the next step and find out more at one of our free sessions. Your family could make all the difference to a vulnerable child."

Benefits for foster carers in Bury include a 50% council tax reduction, extensive training, local monthly support groups, mileage payments, equipment provision, a £1,000 welcome bonus, paid sleepover care, and access to the successful Mockingbird programme, which offers additional support for carers and children alike.

Our Fostering Team is hosting a series of drop ins and events over the next few weeks so that people can find out more about the benefits and rewards of becoming a foster carer. Everyone is welcome to attend the open sessions below:

• 21 October – Info stand at Bury Council Staff Benefits Day, Bury Town Hall – 11am – 2pm
• 24 October – Drop-in session – Bury Fostering Hub, Bury Town Hall 10am – 1pm
• 28 October – Fostering online webinar, 7pm – 8pm Foster for your Local Council - Online Information Evening (North West) Tickets, Tue 28 Oct 2025 at 19:00 | Eventbrite
• 9 November – The Rock, Bury Light switch on 3pm – The Rock Shopping Centre
• 14 November - Drop-in session – Bury Fostering Hub, Bury Town Hall 10am – 1pm

To learn more about fostering with Bury, visit www.fosterforgm.com/Bury, telephone 0800 9555 311, or email enquire@fosterforgm.com

To watch The Run, visit Childhood - Foster with Bury