Today is the start of Foster Care Fortnight™ and North Lincolnshire Council’s fostering team invite you to celebrate with them in sharing #FosteringMoments and creating new ones to last a lifetime.
The annual campaign set up by The Fostering Network is running from today, Monday 13 May to Sunday 26 May to celebrate the inspirational role our foster carers have in the lives of our young people, raise the profile of fostering and how foster care can transform lives.
The fostering team, alongside North Lincolnshire Council and fostering friendly members are joining together to share and celebrate this year’s theme of #FosteringMoments – those moments that define fostering journeys. The moments that have continued to build confidence and create memories to last a lifetime.
North Lincolnshire foster carers have shared some of their most memorable, proud, and heart-warming fostering moments as part of this year’s campaign:
“Golden moments every day that shows our foster daughter loves and trusts us. Sometimes a hug, sometimes asks for a chat or sending me inspirational messages when I’m at work.”
“When a child comes and finds you, when the rest of the children have dispersed around the house and its quiet, just to talk.”
“My birth son working with the fostering team as a fostering champion through his racing platform.”
“When the boys came to live with me, so they had love and stability.”
“Love that they become just a member of the family and our extended family – one of us.”
The fostering team invite you to join them in sharing and celebrating moments by walking with them this Friday 17 May at their Twilight Walk. 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 via our online form 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.
“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.”
Additionally, to the Twilight Walk, the fostering team are going to be at community events across the fortnight where you can meet the team and ask any questions you may have about fostering and Foster Care Fortnight:
• Monday 13 May, The Pods, Scunthorpe at 2pm to 6pm
• Wednesday 15 May, Belton Kitchen, Belton at 10am to 1pm
• Friday 17 May, Twilight Walk from Church Square, Scunthorpe. Arrival by 6pm.
• 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.
As part of Foster Care Fortnight, the online information evening on Wednesday 22 May will be a great opportunity for anyone who is interested in starting their fostering or supported lodgings journey to attend, find out more about the process and hear from some of our foster carers.
You could also be in with the chance of winning a hamper containing a signed Scunthorpe United football, an Amazon voucher, Jerry Green Dog Rescue goodies, and more. All you need to do to enter is complete an online form. Only one entry per person is permitted and you must be over 18 to enter.
Join the fostering team during the fortnight to 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.
