Latest news with #FosteringNetwork
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
' I found a family that not only gave me a home but also believed in me'
A young woman who was fostered from the age of 15 said she was so lucky to have found a family that believed in. Codie has spoken about how being fostered helped her to look to the future to raise awareness of the need for families to step forward and help people like her. Bolton's independent fostering agency, Next Stage for Fostering, has highlighting two stories of two foster families, as well as Codie who has benefited from care to highlight the differences wanting to foster can make. The individuals were inspired to begin fostering for different reasons, but what unites them all is the fact they changed the course of young children's lives by opening their homes. The stories aim to inspire an interest from Boltonians, as more carers are urgently needed to provide children in care with a loving, stable home. Codie (Image: Supplied) Codie entered foster care at the age of 15, when she was considered "lucky" to have found not just a loving home, but one she could share with her two younger siblings. The stability this gave her allowed Codie to think ahead of her future and now at the age of 22, she is studying for a degree as she works towards a career in social care. She said: "I know how lucky I am. "So many teenagers struggle to find foster placements, but I found a family that not only gave me a home but also believed in me every step of the way. "Without them, I would not be where I am today. "They have made a real difference in my life, and I will always be grateful for that." She was fostered by Alix and Lisa – a couple that have been fostering for some time and requested fostering siblings to avoid them being separated. Alix and Lisa (Image: Supplied) Alix said: "Fostering is not just about offering a roof over someone's head – it is about giving them a family, a future and a sense of belonging." Lisa said: "They have all now achieved massive milestones, including Codie learning to drive, going to university and getting a degree. "It has been amazing to watch them thrive and support them all along their individual journeys." Another family that started fostering is Kirsten and Dave. Kirsten, Dave and the children (Image: Supplied) They did this alongside raising their own children, unsure of the impact it would have on their family. Kirsten and Dave said: "At first, we were nervous about how it might affect our own children, but it has only brought us closer. "They have learned patience, empathy and resilience. "They have seen first-hand the difference a stable, loving home can make in a child's life, and they feel proud to be part of that change." According to the Fostering Network, more than 6,500 foster families are urgently needed across England. Next Stage for Fostering said: "Alix, Lisa, Kirsten and Dave prove that fostering is more than just providing children a home – it is about offering security, care and a sense of belonging."
Daily Record
20-05-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Wishaw MSP backing new Scottish Government campaign to find more foster carers
Foster carers play a vital role in supporting and providing safe and loving foster homes to children and young people. They are key to the Scottish Government's ambition of delivering The Promise by 2030. Motherwell and Wishaw's MSP is backing a new Scottish Government campaign to find more foster carers. Foster carers play a vital role in supporting and providing safe and loving foster homes to children and young people. They are key to the Scottish Government's ambition of delivering The Promise by 2030. The Fostering Network estimates that Scotland needs at least 400 more foster carers. The new campaign aims to raise awareness of fostering and encourage people in Motherwell and Wishaw and across Scotland to consider the life-changing impact they could make on the lives of a child or young person. The Scottish Government's campaign will run across TV, radio, press and digital channels through May and June. A new website and advice line will support people interested in fostering. Clare Adamson, MSP for Motherwell and Wishaw, said: 'Becoming a foster carer is a wonderful opportunity to give children love, care, and support. 'You do not special qualifications, but you do need compassion, commitment, and a drive to help children fulfil their potential. 'Kids flourish with love and support. To foster a child is an incredible act and one that could have an extraordinary impact on a person's life. 'The Scottish Government is running this new campaign because we need more foster carers. That is why I am encouraging people in Motherwell and Wishaw who can offer a loving home to find out more.' *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here. And did you know Lanarkshire Live is on Facebook? Head on over and give us a like and share!
Daily Record
19-05-2025
- General
- Daily Record
New recruitment campaign to help find more Scots foster carers launches to mark Foster Care Fortnight
The Scottish Government initiative, which was announced by First Minister John Swinney, aims to support the recruitment of more local authority foster carers and raise awareness of the benefits of fostering. A new recruitment campaign to help find more foster carers has been launched to mark Foster Care Fortnight - and people across North Lanarkshire are being encouraged to consider if they could provide "a safe, supportive foster home for a child or young person". The Scottish Government initiative, which was announced by First Minister John Swinney, aims to support the recruitment of more local authority foster carers and raise awareness of the benefits of fostering. The Fostering Network estimates that Scotland needs at least 400 additional foster carers. The campaign highlights how the "ordinary" - from eating together, to watching TV together - can be extraordinary in the life of a child in foster care. Councillor Michael McBride, who leads on education, children, and families, said: " North Lanarkshire Council is proud to support this campaign, which aims to encourage more people to think about becoming foster carers. "Fostering can have a hugely positive impact on children's lives. "We strongly encourage anyone who can offer a safe, caring, and supportive home to learn more about how to get involved and the difference it can make." Sarah Bennett, who has been a foster carer for 14 years, added: 'People often speak about how foster caring changes children's lives, but he's changed our lives completely. "Every child needs a safe, loving environment, and somebody in their corner to fight for them, advocate for them, and think they're the best thing since sliced bread. "If you can do that by becoming a foster carer, the rewards can be huge. "It's an amazing experience; there are lows as well as highs, of course, but my family and I have learned so much about ourselves as people. It's been so positive for us." As he met foster carers at the new campaign launch, First Minister John Swinney said: "Foster carers play a vital role supporting and providing safe and loving foster homes to children and young people. "They are key to our ambition of delivering The Promise by 2030. "Across Scotland, foster carers provide stability, care and connection to support children and young people to thrive. "Our campaign importantly focuses on how the everyday 'ordinary' can be extraordinary for a child in foster care. "Fostering can be transformational for a child or young person and by stepping forward, foster carers offer not just a home, but the relationships and support that help shape brighter futures." Anne Currie, assistant director for Scotland at The Fostering Network, added: "We welcome the launch of the Scottish Government's national campaign to recruit foster carers, and hope this leads to more people stepping forward from North Lanarkshire to become foster carers in Scotland, and raises awareness of the vital role fostering plays. "The need has never been more urgent - as over 350 foster carers leave each year, it's critical that we take action now." The campaign will run across TV, radio, digital and press throughout May and June. A new website and dedicated advice line have been launched to support those interested in finding out more. For more information on how to become a foster carer, visit here or call the Fosterline service on 0141 204 1400. *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here. And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.
Daily Record
19-05-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Urgent appeal launched to find more foster carers in Dumfries and Galloway
The Fostering Network estimates at least 400 new foster carers are needed across Scotland. An urgent appeal has been launched to find more foster carers in Dumfries and Galloway. The Fostering Network estimates at least 400 new foster carers are needed across Scotland. And with Foster Care Fortnight running until May 26, people in Dumfries and Galloway are being asked to consider if they could provide a safe, supportive foster home for a child or young person. Ciar of the region's social work services committee, Councillor Pauline Drysdale, said: 'Fostering is a hugely important part of helping local children find comfort and security in the ordinary moments, close to home. With a full enrolment and training programme in place through our fostering and adoption team, anyone over the age of 21 with the free space to accommodate a foster child can come forward and make a real difference to the life of a local young person looking for a safe place to stay. 'Dumfries and Galloway is a beautiful place to grow up, and finding local people of all backgrounds who can open their homes to children from the region who are in need of a place to stay means a world of difference to that child; it's the difference between possibly having to relocate to an unfamiliar area, and being able to stay close to the people, places and spaces they know and cherish.' Sarah Bennett, who has been a foster carer for 14 years, added: 'People often speak about how foster caring changes children's lives, but he's changed our lives completely. Every child needs a safe, loving environment, and somebody in their corner to fight for them, advocate for them, and think they're the best thing since sliced bread. If you can do that by becoming a foster carer, the rewards can be huge. It's an amazing experience, there are lows as well as highs, of course, but my family and I have learned so much about ourselves as people. It's been so positive for us.' THe Scottish Government has launched a new campaign to support the recruitment of more foster carers and raise awareness of the benefits of fostering. First Minister John Swinney said: 'Foster carers play a vital role supporting and providing safe and loving foster homes to children and young people. They are key to our ambition of delivering The Promise by 2030. 'Across Scotland, foster carers provide stability, care and connection to support children and young people to thrive. 'Our campaign importantly focuses on how the everyday 'ordinary' can be extraordinary for a child in foster care. Fostering can be transformational for a child or young person and by stepping forward, foster carers offer not just a home, but the relationships and support that help shape brighter futures.' Assistant director for Scotland at The Fostering Network, Anne Currie, added: 'We welcome the launch of the Scottish Government's national campaign to recruit foster carers, and hope this leads to more people stepping forward Dumfries and Galloway to become foster carers in Scotland, and raises awareness of the vital role fostering plays. 'The need has never been more urgent – as over 350 foster carers leave each year, it's critical that we take action now.' For more information on how to become a foster carer, visit The Scottish Government website or ring the Fosterline service on 0141 204 1400.
Glasgow Times
15-05-2025
- Health
- Glasgow Times
Scotland recruitment campaign aims to recruit foster carers
The Scottish Government campaign, announced by First Minister John Swinney at a John Lewis store, aims to recruit more local authority foster carers. The Fostering Network estimates that Scotland needs at least 400 additional foster carers. Read more: Parents worried about their child's mental health urged to seek support This new campaign seeks to raise awareness of the benefits of fostering and encourage people across the country to consider if they could support a child or young person in the care system. It will be running in May and June, with a new website and an advice line for anyone interested in finding out more. Anne Currie, assistant director for Scotland at The Fostering Network, said: "We welcome the launch of the Scottish Government's national campaign to recruit foster carers, and we're proud to back this initiative by providing additional support to our Fosterline service to specifically manage enquiries. "We hope this leads to more people stepping forward to become foster carers in Scotland, and raises awareness of the vital role fostering plays. "The need has never been more urgent – as over 350 foster carers leave each year, it's critical that we take action now." John Lewis, a campaign partner, is a foster-friendly employer that strives to provide extra support to employees who are foster carers. This is something the Scottish Government has recently introduced to its own staff. John Lewis also runs a care-experienced internship designed to support hundreds of young people with care experience to get work experience. Read more: Deaf football manager shares heartfelt message to younger self Meeting foster carers at the new campaign launch, the First Minister said: "Foster carers play a vital role supporting and providing safe and loving foster homes to children and young people. "They are key to our ambition of delivering The Promise by 2030. "Across Scotland, foster carers provide stability, care and connection to support children and young people to thrive. "Our campaign importantly focuses on how the everyday 'ordinary' can be extraordinary for a child in foster care. "Fostering can be transformational for a child or young person and by stepping forward, foster carers offer not just a home, but the relationships and support that help shape brighter futures." Ceira Thom, head of learning, inclusion and belonging at the John Lewis Partnership, said: "At the John Lewis Partnership, we believe that every child deserves a safe, loving home where they can grow and flourish. "As the UK's largest Fostering Friendly employer, we're proud to support this vital campaign and to help raise awareness of the life-changing role foster carers play in young people's lives."
