Today is the start of Foster Care Fortnight and North Lincolnshire Council’s fostering team invite you to celebrate with them and come together to honour the power of relationships and their lifetime impact.
The annual campaign- returns this year from today, 12 May to 25 May to celebrate the incredible impact of the role of our foster carers in transforming lives for our young people in care in North Lincolnshire.
Organised by The Fostering Network, this year, the theme of Foster Care Fortnight is The Power of Relationships and is focusing on raising awareness of fostering and highlights bonds made between a foster carer and a child.
It also celebrates the support of social workers, the friendships built within fostering communities, and the connections with birth families and how these relationships shape lives, create stability, and open new possibilities for the future.
Foster carers from across North Lincolnshire have shared their most heart-warming memories about the impact and importance of the power of relationships:
Gayle, said: “My birth children love the fact we can help other children & get very excited when a new child comes to stay, this is important to me.
“We are all one big family, brought together through fostering, giving lifelong happier memories to all the children who have stayed with us, also meeting & making friends with other foster carers, this is the power of relationships to me.”
Julie, said: “We have always wanted to make a difference and what better way than to foster! Family isn’t just biology – it’s unconditional love plus trust and time equalling positive relationships and positive futures.”
Cllr Julie Reed, Cabinet Member for Children, Families, and Communities, said: “Foster Care Fortnight is an opportunity to highlight the profound impact that positive relationships can have on the lives of our children and young people in care, in North Lincolnshire.
“The relationships that our army of inspirational foster carers nurture, allow children to thrive and build a brighter future. I’m proud to celebrate this year’s theme and the incredible work our foster carers do throughout the whole year through. Thank you.”
To celebrate Foster Care Fortnight, a series of events will take place across North Lincolnshire to raise awareness and encourage more people to consider fostering, including the annual Twilight Walk. You can meet the fostering team and ask any questions at the following events:
– Wednesday 14 May, Baysgarth Family Hub, 10am to 2pm.
– Friday 16 May, Twilight Walk from Church Square, Scunthorpe. Arrival from 5.45pm and set off at 6pm. Register your interest via MS Forms here.
– Saturday 17 May, Central Park Parkrun and Baysgarth Parkrun at 9am.
– Sunday 18 May, The Ropewalk Gardening Day in Barton, 10am to 3pm.
– Monday 19 May, Scunthorpe Library, 10am to 2pm
– Tuesday 20 May, Business Hive Connect at the Hampton by Hilton at Humberside Airport at 12.30pm. Please note that you must be a business and register to attend via Eventbrite here.
– Wednesday 21 May, Online Information Evening from 6.30pm to 8pm. Register to attend via Eventbrite.
– Friday 23 May, Morrisons, Scunthorpe, 10am-1pm.
As part of the fortnight, the online information evening will be a great opportunity for anyone who is interested in starting their fostering or supported lodgings journey to attend, find out more and ask any questions, hearing also from some of our foster carers.
Be part of our fostering community, join the foster team in championing all of our children, supporting them to have high aspirations and pledge and be proud in celebrating the power of relationships.
For more information about fostering or to get involved with Foster Care Fortnight, visit the website, email fostering@northlincs.gov.uk or call 01724 297024.
