On Sunday 2 July, New Routes Fostering marked 25 years of supporting children and young people with a celebration at Coleshill Town Hall.

Invited foster carers past and present, as well as children and young people currently placed through the service, joined us for an afternoon tea party. Also attending were young people who have left the scheme, Trustees, former employees and panel members.

Guests were free to drop in throughout the afternoon and were greeted with a glass of bubbly or juice on arrival. The event was busy from start to end and there was always something to keep people entertained. Craig from MagicAParty helped get everyone into the swing with a magic show and balloon modelling that entertained children and adults alike. There was a display of photos from previous events and guests were delighted to pick out familiar faces from the old pictures.​

Tamworth Voices choir, which included our very own Angela Notman, gave a wonderful performance, singing a variety of musical numbers. After the choir finished guests tucked into lunch while Anna Rooney, Head of Children and Family Services, took to the stage to give a speech.

Anna called two sets of carers up to the stage to celebrate them reaching some big milestones, having fostered for twenty and fourteen years. They were presented with certificates, flowers and trophies by Kevin Caffrey, who set up New Routes Fostering in 1992 and who is now a Trustee. Anna also thanked everyone for coming, and those who helped out including Megan Adams, who had catered the event and provided a fantastic celebration cake, Martyn Adams the volunteer photographer and Muhammed the face painter.

After the speeches, a DJ provided music for the rest of the afternoon while guests chatted and reminisced. Usha Mehta, Team Leader, said, “It was an opportunity for carers to chat and have a reunion. We spoke to some people who retired from the service. It was nice to find out what they are doing now.”

Everyone who went had a great time celebrating the achievements not just of New Routes Fostering, but of the children and young people who have passed through its care and the dedicated foster carers, without whom nothing would be possible.

To find out more about fostering with us, complete our expression of interest form or call 01675 434033 to speak to a member of the team.

Source:
http://www.foster-carers.org.uk

This year's National Foster Care Fortnight runs from the 14th May until the 27th May.

We are hoping that many more people will consider becoming foster carers.  A challenging, but hugely rewarding activity, fostering changes the lives of children and young people for the better.  

Fostering New Routes is holding an Information Meeting for people who want to foster for our small, friendly charitable organisation.  

The Information Meeting will be on the 15th May 2012.

If you want to attend, contact us on 01675 434000, and book your place. 

Foster carers and the children they care for are our concern - make it yours too.

Source: www.foster-carers.org.uk

Tomorrow FtSE members will be considering an exciting proposal to develop the British Association for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF) Fostering Education material for the 11-16 age group.

This is a proven technique to improve the reading ages of the young people who participate. At the same time it empowers carers, many of whom acknowledge that educational opportunities as a child were limited, and develops the relationship between the carer and the young person.