FtSE Member News: Community Foster Care - It’s time... to become a foster carer

Carers from Community Foster Care are sending out a message for Foster Care Fortnight – the time to join us is now.
 
There are more than 69,000 children in care in England and Wales and, as the number keeps rising, the increase in foster carers cannot keep pace.  Nationally, one child comes into care every 20 minutes.
 
Foster carers with Community Foster Care want to help change that and are backing an awareness campaign during Foster Care Fortnight (May 16-29) with the slogan ‘Time to Foster, Time to Care’.
 
CFC Chief Executive Hugh Pelham said: “Most people think they can’t foster, but usually the opposite is true. So long as you’re over 25 and in generally good health, you too can foster.”
 
He added that many potential foster carers think about it for years before coming forward.
 
“They might have discussed it with friends and family, but didn’t pick up the phone and make that first inquiry.
 
“The fact is that there’s lots of help to get you started, plenty of support and excellent training.”
 
One foster couple who have never looked back are Mike and Angela Sewell from Gloucester.
 
“We started fostering five years ago and now have a whole new family,” said Mike. “We adopted our son, who is now five years old, and have two other children.
 
“We waited a long time before we picked up the phone to find out about fostering. We were a bit nervous at first but there is lots of support and we’re never alone.”
 
Wendy Impey from Gloucester has been fostering for 17 years. “There are lots of options – like short-term fostering. It doesn’t have to be a lifetime commitment. But it can be very rewarding. It can enable children to go on and create a good family life of their own,” she said.
 
She stressed that children end up in care through no fault of their own. “What they want most is to be safe and for someone to try and understand them,” she said.
 
Anyone who wants to know more can call 0800 0124 278. 

​Source:
http://www.communityfostercare.co.uk

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