It is Foster Care Fortnight™ next month and North Lincolnshire Council’s fostering team invite you to celebrate with them in sharing #FosteringMoments and creating new moments to last a lifetime.
Foster Care Fortnight, from 13 to 26 May 2024, is an annual campaign set up by The Fostering Network to raise the profile of fostering and show how foster care transforms lives.
The fostering team, alongside fostering friendly members, including Rands Solicitors, Deligraze and Oatridge Coaching and more in the community, are joining together to share and celebrate the theme of #FosteringMoments – those moments that define fostering journeys, both big and small. The moments that have built confidence, made young people feel safe and created memories.
At a recent foster carer celebration event, North Lincolnshire foster carers shared some of their most memorable, proud, and defining fostering moments:
“When a young person came overnight and the next morning said ‘this is not a house, it’s a home’ and stayed for 30 days.”
“Love that they become just a member of the family and our extended family – one of us.”
“Every day has its golden moments; some are hilarious and it’s worth every second. A moment that sticks out for me is when our foster child called me dad.”
“Our proudest moment was watching one of our foslings learn to walk, even though he wasn’t meant to survive.”
“Just a random hug, no words necessary.”
“Yes, being a foster carer is not easy but there are many moments that surprise you, pull at your heart strings and make you proud. I cannot name just one instance which is good because if there was just one why would we continue to do this wonderful role. However, I have three wonderful teenagers in my care at present with an older young adult on a staying put and my heart is full.”
Everyone can show their support for fostering by joining the fostering team on their Twilight Walk on Friday 17 May.
The walk is a great way to get outside, meet new people and raise awareness of fostering and is also a chance to showcase our green spaces in North Lincolnshire and be active as part of our Year of Walking 2024.
Beginning at Church Square, Scunthorpe, at 6pm, the Twilight Walk goes to Central Park and back, ending back at Church Square, which will be lit up orange in celebration of Foster Care Fortnight.
Express your interest in attending the Twilight Walk here.
Cllr Julie Reed, cabinet member for children, families, and communities, said: “Foster Care Fortnight is one of my favourite dates in the calendar, to show appreciation and celebrate all of the inspirational work our foster carers do for and with our children and young people in foster care.
“To share fostering moments with you all is something very special and I thank each and every foster carer for sharing their memories and moments.
“As an outstanding fostering service, Foster Care Fortnight, and the events that the team have planned continue to shine a light on the crucial and life changing impact foster carers have on lives and how you too could be part of our fostering community.
“Children and families are at the heart of North Lincolnshire and to bring the community together to champion our children whilst promoting our own wellbeing, by being active in our Year of Walking is something I am thrilled to be a part of and look forward to celebrating this year’s Foster Care Fortnight.”
Across the fortnight, people will be able to meet the fostering team to ask any questions they may have at the following events:
• Saturday 18 May, Central Park Parkrun in Scunthorpe at 9am
• Sunday 19 May, The Ropewalk Gardening Day in Barton at 10am to 3pm
• Tuesday 21 May, Business Hive Connect at the Hampton by Hilton at Humberside Airport at 12.30pm. Please note that you must register to attend via Eventbrite here.
• Wednesday 22 May, Online Information Evening, 6.30pm to 8pm. Register your interest to attend via Eventbrite.
The fostering team are excited for the Hampton by Hilton at Humberside Airport to also be hosting a private experience day for young people in foster care to create new moments and memories and the team welcome experiences from fostering friendly members and new businesses to join in and do the same.
Be part of a community which encourages and champions our children in foster care, to support them to have high aspirations, reach for the stars and believe they too can have #FosteringMoments to last a lifetime.
To start your fostering journey, find out more about Fostering and Foster Care Fortnight in North Lincolnshire, visit the website, email fostering@northlincs.gov.uk or call 01724 297024.
