The stories of foster carers across Rotherham are being celebrated as part of Foster Care Fortnight.
We urgently need new foster carers from all walks of life to care for children in Rotherham.
Foster Care Fortnight begins next week and the Council’s Fostering service, Fostering Rotherham, will be highlighting the positive impact fostering makes on the lives of local children.
The theme is #FosteringMoments – those moments that define fostering journeys, both big and small. The moments that have built confidence, made young people feel safe and created long-lasting memories.
Foster Care Fortnight, from 13 to 26 May 2024, is an annual campaign set up by The Fostering Network to raise the profile of fostering and to show how foster care transforms lives.
Nicola Curley, Strategic Director for Children’s Services at Rotherham Council said: “I would like to thank all our foster carers for providing love and care for local children.
“I am proud to be supporting Foster Care Fortnight and would like to encourage residents to consider becoming a foster carer. There are a number of different ways that you can foster and help to give a child the best start in life.”
We spoke to a number of foster carers who shared some of their favourite fostering moments.
Paula Douglas has been fostering since 2013 and shared some of her favourite moments. Paula said: “A child we cared for who is now grown up and has a baby herself always stays in touch and invites us to special events in her life. She told us she is very grateful for the time she spent with us and for how we nurtured her.”
On a more recent fostering moment with a different child, Paula added: “My heart was really melting when the Fostering team had organised a meet and greet with the Rotherham United players and my young man was so excited getting autographs and photos with them.”
Nicki and Gary Ellis recently celebrated their 10-year anniversary as foster carers. On their favourite moments they shared: “As Mockingbird Hub carers we have so many fond memories with all of our families but one day that really stands out for us is the seaside trip we organised. One of our families transported a rigid inflatable boat to Bridlington so all the children and some adults (if they were brave enough) could enjoy this new experience together.
“It was amazing to see the children help each other to get life jackets on and holding hands to support each other on the boat. Some children were asking for it to go faster. A really fantastic day out together finished with fun on the beach and a train ride into the seaside town to enjoy ice cream together.”
Charlotte Douglas has been fostering since 2022 as a second home carer. Charlotte added: “As a second home foster carer I have had the privilege of capturing lots of little beautiful fostering moments. These include taking a child swimming and watching the enjoyment on their face, a child saying my name for the first time who struggles to put their words together and a child giving me a hug as the first point of contact when they have come out of school after a particularly hard morning, seeking the comfort and familiar face they needed.”
Across the fortnight, residents will be able to meet the fostering team and ask any questions on the following dates:
- Wednesday 15 May, online fostering information event from 6pm to 7pm. For more information, click here
- Friday 17 May at Tesco Maltby, High Street based in the foyer from 11.30am to 1pm
- Friday 24 May at Rotherham Leisure Centre based in the reception area 12noon to 1.30pm
Could you make a difference to a local child’s life? Become a foster carer with Fostering Rotherham.
For more information visit www.fosteringrotherham.com or call 01709 357370.
Foster carers Nicki and Gary Ellis were pictured as they marked the one-week countdown to Foster Carer Fortnight.