Celebrating Foster Care Fortnight - could you join us?

Bury Council is celebrating Foster Care Fortnight and calls for more local foster carers to help make a difference.

The council is thanking local foster families for their dedication to transforming the lives of children and inviting more residents to consider fostering during Foster Care Fortnight, from 12 to 25 May.

This year’s theme, The Power of Relationships, emphasises the strong, supportive connections that are at the heart of every successful fostering journey, and Bury council is proud to celebrate the incredible impact that foster carers in the borough have on children’s lives.

Foster carers in Bury play a crucial role in providing safe, stable, and loving homes for children and young people who cannot live with their birth families. By offering a home within the local community, Bury’s foster carers help children remain close to their schools, friends, and family networks, which supports their well-being and sense of belonging.

There remains a need for more foster carers in Bury for children of all ages but the most pressing is for those able to care for sibling groups, older children and those of black ethnicity. The council welcomes enquiries from people interested in full-time, part-time, or respite fostering, and from a range of backgrounds and family structures.

A new video interviewing some of Bury’s foster carers, highlights the rewards of fostering for the local council and the help and support available, and the Bury fostering team will be attending local events during Foster Care Fortnight and hosting an online webinar to help people interested in fostering learn more about it.

Watch the video here: Bury fostering - Foster with Bury

Bury Council offers a comprehensive support package for foster carers, including:

• Generous financial allowances that reflect skill level and the needs of each child

• Regular supervision and practical support

• Mileage reimbursement and a discount benefit card for use at local retailers

• A 50% Council Tax discount for foster carers

• Access to the innovative Mockingbird Family Model, which provides a supportive extended family network for foster carers and children

Councillor Lucy Smith, cabinet member for children and young people, said: “Foster Care Fortnight is an opportunity to celebrate the incredible impact our foster carers have on children’s lives in Bury, and the power of relationships between carers, children, and our wider support network.

“We are committed to supporting our foster families every step of the way, with innovative programmes like Mockingbird, financial assistance and a strong community network to help our carers provide stable and loving homes in the local area. I encourage anyone considering fostering to get in touch with our team and discover how you could help change a child’s future.”

Get Involved:

• If you are interested in finding out more about fostering in Bury, please visit our website Bury fostering - Foster with Bury, where you can also contact us for an informal chat.

• Bury Council’s fostering team will be attending the Foster for GM Park Run on Saturday 17 May at Heaton Park, and Prestwich Clough Day on Sunday 18 May from 12 to 5pm.

• There is an online information event on Friday 16 May (12-1pm) which is free to attend – you can sign up here via Eventbrite.  Foster for your Local Council - Online Information Evening (North West) Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite These events also run on the fourth Tuesday of every month from 7pm to 8pm.

ENDS

Press release issued: 12 May 2025.