Thank you for everything you do! Trafford’s amazing foster carers, children in their care and members of the Council’s fostering team took part in a community walk to celebrate Foster Care Fortnight.
The annual campaign, with the theme ‘Fostering Communities’, aims to shine a light on the many ways in which people across the fostering community support each other.
The walk, which took place at Sale Water Park, was a huge success and everyone present was given the chance to share advice and stories about their experience of fostering in Trafford and the difference it can make to children and young people.
Following this, a special ‘Cuppa with Carers’ day took place at Poppies Coffee Shop in Urmston, so that any Trafford residents interested in fostering could meet with current foster carers and chat and find out what fostering is really like. A similar event is planned for next month in Altrincham with more to follow throughout the summer across the borough – and if you are interested in fostering, please come along and tell us your story.
Donnella, a Trafford foster carer for the past 14 years, said she was proud to be part of the borough’s fostering family. She said:
"I find that in Trafford we do all support each other. From day one there's loads of training on offer and there’s always someone on the end of the phone to help you.
"I know lots of people think I'm not able, I’m not capable, I'm not old enough or I'm too old to foster - or I'm single or in a same sex couple. But at the end of the day, fostering is about giving children love and caring for them. It doesn't matter who you are or where you come from or your background, it's about what you can offer that child for life to help them move forward.”
Cllr Cath Hynes, Trafford’s Lead Member for Children’s Services said:
“Becoming a foster carer is a big step, but what we hear time and time again from our foster carers is just how rewarding and life changing an experience it can be, not only for the children in their care but for our foster carers themselves.
“Getting the right support is essential, and in Trafford this comes not only from our dedicated Fostering team, but also from within the fostering community itself. Our carers have regular opportunities to share their thoughts and support each other via our Have Your Say forum and social events through the year. For the last two years most of these interactions have been online, so it was wonderful to see some of our families finally being able to get together and spend some valuable time together.
“I would urge anyone interested in fostering to get in touch and find out if it’s for you – we would love to hear from you.”
To learn more about fostering in Trafford go to our Fostering Page.
Posted on Wednesday 1st June 2022