Royal Greenwich released new film that offers focus on foster carers

by WO Staff | Greenwich

The Royal Borough has produced a new DVD to encourage people with the right skills and qualities to come forward as foster carers.

Cover of the Fostering brochure
by Royal Borough of Greenwich

The film – which features Greenwich foster carers speaking of their experiences -  was launched in time for Foster Care Fortnight, which begins next Monday (1 June) The Royal Borough is backing the national campaign which is designed to attract people to help meet the needs of children in care.

There are currently 120 fostering households in the borough, but more carers are always needed to give children safe and caring homes while they are unable to live with their own families. Foster carers are particularly needed at the moment for teenagers, to offer them stability as well as playing an important role in encouraging and supporting young people to achieve in their education.

In Royal Greenwich, the Fostering Service has produced the 30-minute DVD featuring interviews with foster carers talking about their experiences and the challenges and rewards of fostering.

Foster carers, Katie and her husband, Steve have looked after nearly 30 local children since they began 10 years ago. Katie said: “At the moment we have an eight-year-old boy staying with us long-term, and three-month-old twins, a boy and a girl. They were just a day old when they came to us – we didn’t know what to expect, and it was quite a challenge.”

“We have fostered some children for just a few weeks, and others for a few years. Steve looks after them at weekends to give me a break, and without him and help from my daughter Emily (16) and son Joshua (19), I couldn’t do it.”

“My advice to anyone interested in fostering is to come to some of our information events and find out more. It is so rewarding, and no two days are ever the same – it’s an emotional roller coaster.”

Cllr John Fahy, Deputy Leader of the Royal Borough and Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “I am enormously encouraged by the commitment and dedication of foster carers who work tirelessly to support the children in their care and enrich their lives in so many positive ways.”

People interested in fostering can find out more at the monthly information events held at the Woolwich Centre, where the film will be screened. The next event takes place on Saturday 13 June at The Woolwich Centre.

For more information, and to view the film, go to: www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/fostering.