Manchester foster carers help launch big book of fostering

Foster carers in Manchester will turn into authors for the day as they note down their most treasured memories of fostering at the launch of a ‘Big Book of Fostering’

The book was launched Tuesday 9 November at 2:30 pm at the new City Library, Deansgate, Manchester, as part of a new regional campaign to recruit more foster carers.

In just one day a giant hardback book created especially for the North West region 'You Can Foster' campaign will be taken to Chester, Liverpool, Manchester and Lancaster, capturing foster carers' thoughts and comments of why they choose to foster and sharing their experiences.

After Tuesday's launch the book will continue its journey through all the major towns and cities in the region over the coming months capturing hundreds of special fostering moments. The book's tour will finally draw to an end during May 2011's Foster Care Fortnight.

It's hoped that once published the book will inspire new foster carers to come forward to make a difference to a child's life by becoming carers with their local authority.

Manchester is one of 23 local authorities collaborating on the You Can Foster campaign that are jointly hoping to approve a minimum of 150 new carers by the campaign's close and wants to drive home the message that there is no 'typical' foster carer - that a suitable applicant can be from their 20s upwards, single, renters or homeowners, married or living together, in same sex or in mixed sex relationships.

Councillor Sheila Newman, Executive Member, Children's Services, Manchester City Council, said: "Foster carers play a vital part in helping us look after the vulnerable children and young people who come into our care. We urgently need more people to come forward who can demonstrate their commitment, ability and interest in caring for and supporting these young people."

In the North West alone there is a shortfall of between 1700 and 2000 foster carers which has led to a greater need than ever for new carers. The shortfall across England meanwhile is in excess of 8200. Over the last 30 years there have been significant changes in foster caring and the challenge for local authorities is to reflect these changes and attract a wider variety of carer than ever before.

The You Can Foster campaign has just been launched on TV, radio, print and social media, with the mission to recruit more foster carers for the 23 local authorities across the region.

Chris Williams, Chair of the North West Fostering Leads Group and Senior Assistant Director of Children and Families at St Helen's Council said: "The You Can Foster campaign is all about people making a difference regardless of their age, sexuality or status as a homeowner. The Big Book of Fostering tour gives us the opportunity to get out there and meet carers to find out what they really think and feel. We hope that by collecting these thoughts in a high profile manner it will inspire new potential carers to come forward and register on the website."
If you're thinking about a career in fostering for your local authority, go to http://www.youcanfoster.orgor/ call 0800 634 7052