Foster care fortnight is underway and runs from 10th-23rd May 2021.
Every year, The Fostering Network runs a two-week campaign across the UK & Ireland, in a bid to encourage wider society to understand the value and positive difference fostering can make to young people’s lives.
Through education, we can work together to help more people understand what it means to foster and what it means for a child to be fostered. We want to work with #TheFosteringNetwork to help more people realise the value of fostering and make fostering the best it can be in the UK.
How you can get involved
The theme this year is #WhyWeCare.
Why do you care about fostering? We want you to get involved with #FosterCareFortnight and help make a difference! Whoever you may be, we want to hear why YOU CARE about fostering and why you want to help challenge the stigma around fostering in the UK. Whether you’re a carer yourself, or were fostered as a child – we’d love to get your take on why foster care is so important.
Let us know by commenting on one of our latest instagram posts that asks just that. #WhyWeCare.
Why we care at Time Out Fostering
The team at Time Out are sharing the reasons they care about Fostering.
“For me it’s about being aware of how disadvantaged children in care are. We want to recognise this by helping our carers and staff team to do something about it.
“It’s incredible to see how a child and foster family can thrive, whilst acknowledging how hard it can be for everyone to get to this point.”
Jeremy Cross, Director, Time Out Fostering
“I care about fostering as I get to work with fabulous people that care and amazing young people that can thrive in their care. I feel privileged to be part of a child’s journey when they face adversity.”
Lucy Harden, Social Work Manager, Time Out Fostering
“I care about fostering because it surrounds me with children and foster carers who feel vividly, love unconditionally and remind me of the power of second chances”.
Alex Grover, Supervising Social Worker, Time Out Fostering
“I care because I enjoy making connections with people. It’s a privilege to meet and match them with a family, with the aim to work together in a collaborative way to achieve positive changes.
“The best part is helping to celebrate achievements with children and observing the confidence they build and the smile on their faces when they recognise this for themselves!”.
Jen McNamara, Supervising Social Worker, Time Out Fostering
Follow us on Instagram for all of our latest #WhyWeCare Foster Care Fortnight updates
Every day there’s something new posted up, right through Foster Care Fortnight. We’ll be posting images and quotes to continue raising awareness of the great work that fostering has in society and the impact that good foster care has on the lives of children and young adults.
Find out if foster care is right for you
Considering entering the wonderful world of being a foster carer? Set up a friendly informal chat with one of the Time Out Fostering team.
We’ll explain the process to you and answer any questions you may have. There’s absolutely no obligation to progress and who knows, it may be the start of something wonderful in your life – making a difference to a child’s life and memories to last a lifetime.
To contact Time Out Fostering simply call 01903 259900, or fill in some details on this form.
Mental Health Awareness Week
As well as supporting #FosterCareFortnight, we are also supporting #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek in the UK.
We value the mental wellbeing of our carers, looked after children and adults
This year has been a particularly tricky time for a lot of people and we’d like to send a big shout out to everyone for getting through the struggles thrown at us all by the pandemic.
Take some time to mentally unwind, in the great outdoors
The Mental Health Foundation have chosen to run with the theme of #nature for this years #mentalhealthweek. Never underestimate the power of nature to boost your mood- get out whilst the sun is shining and reconnect with the world around you.
We’ve created this handy guide of brilliant outdoor activities and things to do in Sussex, so be sure to check that out and share with friends and family too. Take some time for yourself this week and check in on those around you. It’s not always easy to tell when someone is struggling.
We’d also highly recommend utilising these great resources whenever you need them, for more information, help and support with mental health:
https://www.mind.org.uk/get-involved/mental-health-awareness-week/
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/mental-health-awareness-week
Showing we care – Time Out Fostering Thank You Packs
Our Social Work Manager, Lucy, has been very busy putting together #mentalhealthawareness (clicking on the hashtag will take you to Instagram) care packages for all of our lovely carers at Time Out.
The thank you packs will be making their way to carers from their SSW’s very soon, as a reminder that all their hard-work, perseverance and LOVE is appreciated!
Lucy said: “It is so important to recognise the challenges all of our carers have overcome this past year. This is just a little something to help ease them out of lockdown.”
There’s no better time to reflect on the amazing work of all of our foster carers here at Time Out Fostering and to take a moment to appreciate them, during both #FosterCareFortnight and #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek2021.
To all of our carers, we want to say THANK YOU!
