Could you create special, lifechanging memories by fostering a vulnerable child?

Hampshire County Council is renewing its call for nurturing foster carers this Foster Focus Week (21-27 October), which this year celebrates the precious moments and lasting memories shared by foster carers and the children in their lives.

Foster Focus Week is the County Council’s annual campaign recognising the vital role of foster carers and the need to find more loving, stable homes for children in care. It comes as the County Council joins forces with a coalition of councils and children’s trusts across the country to launch a heart-warming new film, titled 'Everything', to promote local authority fostering. The film follows the memories of a foster carer as he celebrates his 60th birthday surrounded by the people whose lives he has changed across the years, and as the title suggests, aims to highlight everything that fostering means to those involved.

Foster carer stories

Across Foster Focus Week, the County Council will be sharing the memories and experiences of some of its incredible local foster carers.

Beverley initially came to fostering through providing short term respite care, before eventually becoming a full-time carer for children with complex needs. She says: “The most rewarding thing is the children themselves – they bring so much laughter, so much fun. If you’ve got room in your heart and your house for another child, you should fill it.”

Lynda started fostering 10 years ago and describes the rewards of seeing each child thrive in her care. She says: “Each child is different and we adapt to what they need - it’s a joy to see them grow into young people and move into independent living. Quite often they stay in contact and so it’s like an extended family. It’s a really enjoyable experience.”

Foster carer Anthony has praised the support he receives from the County Council, including through the ‘Hampshire Hives’ – a network of local support groups for foster carers across Hampshire, each led by a dedicated support worker. He says: “You’ve got social workers; you’ve got some wonderful ‘hives’ that provide  an additional layer of support. Just as important is all the training that you’re given, which really helps you to build your skillset and to make a big difference for the children.”

Anyone aged over 21 and from all walks of life can become a foster carer. The only requirement is a spare room – and of course, plenty of patience, resilience, open-mindedness and positivity. There are many types of arrangements available, from full-time fostering to more flexible options that fit around home and work-life commitments.

Hampshire County Council Fostering Service are also hosting a special in-person Q&A event in November. Join them on the 26 November at Crofton Community Centre in Fareham at 17:00 and have all your questions answered courtesy of our friendly recruitment team and some of our remarkable foster carers.

Visit the Hampshire County Council Fostering Service website to find out more about fostering, other upcoming events, and for more information about the training and support available for foster carers.