The campaign is part of national foster caring fortnight, which has been organised to encourage people to find out more about the different types of fostering, from long-term care to short breaks; it is hoped the initiative will inspire people to get involved.
The fortnight has been supported with a range of promotional materials, with leaflets and banner printing used to raise the event’s profile. Many of the organisers have worked with printing companies in Basingstoke. The drive has involved everything from road shows to drop-in sessions.
Basingstoke resident Julie has been fostering for two years with her husband Stephen. She spoke about her experience, saying:
“Each child is different. I feel they have enriched our lives. You learn something every day. There may be difficult times and it can take a while for children to settle in.”
“It’s our job to be gentle, non-judgemental and provide a calm, nurturing atmosphere. Seeing them feel at home and seeing them smile, especially when they succeed in something, that’s what I enjoy.”
The director of Children’s Services for Hampshire County Council, John Coughlan, spoke about the need for carers to step forward. He said:
“Foster carers like Julie are vital to us – without them our job of ensuring good outcomes for vulnerable children and young people would be much harder.”
John went on to explain that while fostering can be difficult at times, the carers he works with often say how rewarding a role it is.