This year to celebrate Foster Care Fortnight (9 to 22 May 2022), North Lincolnshire Council’s foster carers will be taking on a skydive at Hibaldstow Skydive Centre. They want to show that taking a leap of faith and landing on the opportunity to become foster carers was one of the best decisions they made.
Foster carers in North Lincolnshire make a real difference to children’s lives and we are seeking new carers to care for children of all ages. Could you take a leap and change their life?
Sue, foster carer and chair of the North Lincolnshire Foster Carer Association, said:
“Skydiving is like fostering, it’s scary and you’re not sure you can do it but when you’ve taken that jump it’s exciting, rewarding and you want to do it all over again. Our fostering community is fantastic, brave and supportive. I’m proud of them all and I would encourage people to give it go.”
The theme for this year’s Foster Care Fortnight is ‘fostering communities’, which will shine a light on the many ways people across our North Lincolnshire local fostering community support each other.
Roadshow events will be taking place to give people an opportunity to find out more about fostering for our local children, ask any questions and see if it is the right journey for them.
Are you ready to take on a new challenge and fall into fostering? If so, drop-in and talk to the friendly team at one of the roadshow events.
The roadshows are taking place on:
10 May at Belton Kitchen from 10am onwards
11 May at The Pods, Scunthorpe from 12pm to 6pm
12 May at Brigg Market from 9.30am onwards
13 May at The Range, Scunthorpe from 9am to 5pm
13 May at St Johns Market, Scunthorpe from 10am to 2pm
15 May at Hibaldstow Skydive Centre from 9am to 11am
18 May at The Pods, Scunthorpe from 12pm to 6pm
19 May at Brigg Market from 9.30am onwards
20 May at Silica Lodge Garden Centre, Scunthorpe from 9am to 5pm
20 May at St John’s Market, Scunthorpe from 10am to 2pm
The council’s fostering team will be on hand to talk to, answer any questions and help people take their first steps towards making a difference to a child’s life. If you have ever thought about fostering, drop-in to one of the events. By attending the events there is no commitment to becoming a foster carer.
Cllr Julie Reed, cabinet member for children and families, said:
“The opportunity to become a foster carer is a big commitment, but one that is hugely rewarding. We are looking for more foster carers in North Lincolnshire to provide a warm caring home for children of all ages.
“If you have ever thought about fostering, or just want to find out more, get in touch to find out more details, or if you know someone who would make a great foster carer, tell them about us. The roadshow events are the perfect chance to have a chat with the team and find out how you can make a difference to a child’s life by becoming a foster carer.
“There is no such thing as a typical foster carer. All we ask is that they can offer time, commitment, patience and a loving and stable home.”
For more details about fostering in North Lincolnshire, including reading stories of existing foster carers, go to the fostering page.
There are also great opportunities for volunteers who can connect with young people and make a difference to their life as ‘Independent Visitors’. This role involves spending time with and taking an interest in the life, interests, hopes, dreams and concerns of a young person and building a trusting relationship over time.
Anyone over 18 with a few hours to spare can apply to be an Independent Visitor, no experience is needed, and you will be supported throughout. For more information call 01724 297000 and choose option 6, or email independentvisitors@northlincs.gov.uk.
