Make a difference – let’s talk about fostering

Caring families and individuals are being urged to make a real difference to a child’s life by becoming a foster carer.

A new campaign to recruit more carers is being launched on Saturday 27 September, with a fun day in Bury town centre on The Rock, near Wilkos, from 11am to 3pm. There will be a Tower FM roadshow, face painting, games and competitions with prizes.

The launch event is the start of a two-week “Ask me about Fostering” campaign. This will culminate in an open evening on Thursday 16 October at the Fusilier Museum in Moss Street, Bury from 6pm to 8pm.

Staff at Bury Council and its partners are leading the way in starting this conversation about fostering – some 550 of them will be wearing a special badge during the campaign so that everyone they meet might learn about the campaign.

Councillor Paddy Heneghan, the council’s spokesman for family intervention, said: “The number of children needing foster carers in Bury is rising, and there are 54 Bury children unable to be cared for by a Bury foster carer. We want to change this. Our foster carers can’t change the reason why children are in care, but the difference they do make is life-changing.

“Whether you can care for one night at a time, or make a lifelong commitment, we will support you all the way.”

Among the support offered is a 24/7 telephone advice line; regular supervision; good financial remuneration; and specialist support from our multi-agency professional team.

For more details, call 0800 9555 311 or go to www.adoptfosterbury.org.uk

ENDS

Press release issued: 23 September 2014.