15-28 May is Foster Care Fortnight 2023, and this year the theme is fostering communities.
Organised by The Fostering Network, Foster Care Fortnight is an annual campaign to raise the profile of fostering and show how foster care transforms lives. This year, the campaign is highlighting and celebrating the strength and resilience of fostering communities.
Cllr Mrs Patricia Bradwell OBE, executive member for children’s services, said: “We have a very supportive fostering community here in Lincolnshire, and I’d like to assure anyone that’s considering fostering that this is not something you do alone – both the council and our other more experienced carers are always ready to lend a helping hand when needed.
“Even if you’re unable to foster yourself, there are many ways you can support your local fostering community. This could be through helping raise awareness, talking to friends and family about fostering and sharing our social media posts. These relatively small actions can play a valuable role in helping us to promote the community and recruit more carers.
“If we all play our part, we can make sure all local children get a great start in life, in a loving, supportive home.”
Lincolnshire has a diverse fostering community. Each application to foster is considered on an individual basis and you can be a foster carer regardless of your marital status, sexuality, employment status, ethnicity, or religion. However, you do need to have a spare bedroom for a child or young person to use.
If you think you could foster a child and would like to know more, visit www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/fostering. You can also get in touch with the Lincolnshire fostering service by calling 01522 554114.