Press release -
Foster Care Fortnight – will you join us?
Bury is celebrating Foster Care Fortnight by appealing to local people to help them make a difference to a child’s life.
The Fortnight runs from 13 to 26 May and is a national campaign highlighting how important fostering is and how it can make a difference to many thousands of young people.
The Fostering Team in Bury will be in the Mill Gate Centre (Market Square) on the following dates from 10am to 4pm:
* Friday 17 May
* Saturday 18 May
* Friday 24 May
* Saturday 25 May
They will also be at the following carnivals:
* Radcliffe Carnival – Saturday 1 June
* Bury Lions Carnival – Sunday 9 June
* Prestwich Carnival – Sunday 16 June
Councillor Nick Parnell, cabinet member for children and families, said: “There is a national shortage of foster carers and this is certainly true in Bury. Many of our children are being placed with foster carers outside the borough, as we just do not have enough foster carers for the number of children and families needing support. This means youngsters have to travel more to get to school and see their parents, siblings and friends, which can put pressure on them.
“Foster Care Fortnight gives us the chance to highlight this and show people how fostering can be a wonderful opportunity to transform a child’s life – it really is that important.
“There is a lot of support for people who wish to foster, and our fostering team can give you all the details.”
Anyone interested in fostering, and who wants to know more, can attend one of the events or call the fostering team (free of charge) on 0800 9555 311.
To kick start the Fostering Fortnight celebration, the fostering team held a messy play party for the younger children. The children helped decorate a large picture frame with their handprints, each one representing a child who has been placed, and the frame has now gone on tour to various organisations who work to support the youngsters and their families.
ENDS
Press release issued: 8 May 2013.
Picture attached: Foster carers are put “in the frame”.