Throughout December, the fostering team at North Lincolnshire Council invite you to join them in their 12 days of fostering, to highlight special fostering moments from the fostering community and showcase the continued need for more foster carers championing all local children.
The 12 days of fostering will focus on the voices of North Lincolnshire foster carers and supported lodgings hosts, sharing special moments in their journey so far, and will also feature the Children and Families service and fostering friendly businesses who are supporting this year’s Christmas campaign. The videos will give a personal and real insight into fostering family time at Christmas and the true impact to all those involved.
North Lincolnshire foster carer Gayle, said: “Seeing [the children] on Christmas morning absolutely delighted that Santa has been and finding their face in a bauble on our Christmas tree [is a special moment of mine].”
The period around Christmas is a time for families, kindness, hope and making memories. Hear from those who open their hearts and homes to some of the most vulnerable children and young people in our community that need them the most. As the new ‘Everything’ fostering film, of which the fostering service are proud to be a part of shows, fostering can mean everything to those involved.
Cllr Julie Reed, cabinet member for children, families and communities, said: “At Christmas, random acts of kindness are everywhere around us with lots of love, warmth and family time together which is crucial for children and young people to grow and thrive.
“Sadly, not all our children are able to have that special family time and that is where our foster carers step in – inspirational people changing lives forever and making Christmas the best that they can.
“I’m incredibly proud of all our foster carers and supported lodgings hosts and what they do for our children and young people every single day. Advocating for them and being the supportive backbone to enable them to have high aspirations and reach for the stars.
“I’m looking forward to seeing all 12 videos released ahead of Christmas and hearing from members of our fostering community.”
What you do with your life could forever change someone else’s and this year you could make a difference by being a part of your fostering community, championing and showing your support through helping to raise awareness, becoming a fostering friendly business or taking that first step to becoming an inspirational foster carer or supported lodgings host.
The fostering team would like to hear from you if you feel you could open your home to a child as the need for foster carers nationally is continuing to grow. In North Lincolnshire, keeping children and young people in their community, close to their friends and school is very important and as an outstanding local authority, obtaining this is always at the forefront.
You can meet the fostering team to find out more about fostering and being fostering friendly on:
• Saturday 7 December, Normanby Hall Christmas Market, 10am to 4pm.
• Friday 13 December, John Leggott College Christmas Community Event, 5pm to 8pm
• Wednesday 29 January, Online Information Evening, 6.30pm to 8pm, register to attend via Eventbrite.
Additionally, to meeting the team at forthcoming events, you can also live chat with the fostering recruitment team via their fostering webpages.
Follow the team this Christmas on the North Lincolnshire Council’s Facebook page and watch the 12 days videos on the North Lincolnshire Council’s YouTube channel throughout December.
Alternatively, contact the Fostering team today by emailing fostering@northlincs.gov.uk, calling 01724 297024 or visit the website to find out more.
