You Can Foster event – now is the time to care

An information evening is being held on Wednesday 23 May at Rochdale Town Hall, during the national Foster Care Fortnight 2012, to give people with room in their heart and homes the chance to find out about becoming foster carers.

Members of Rochdale Borough Council’s fostering team will give a short presentation about the role of foster carers and the part they play in helping a child or young person.

Information about the support available for foster carers will be provided as well as existing carers being on hand to share their experiences and answer any questions attendees may have.

Foster Care Fortnight runs from 14 -27 May and this year's theme is to highlight that a child comes into care and needs a foster family every 22 minutes across the UK.

Councillor Donna Martin, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “Foster Care Fortnight is the perfect time for us to thank all our carers for their work and renew our appeal to people across the borough to think about whether could become foster carers. We hope many people will come along to the event and find out how they can do something really rewarding and help children in need of foster carers.”

Along with the information event being held, Rochdale Borough Council and 22 other councils from the North West are using the national campaign to join forces and highlight the growing need of foster carers in the region, by repeating the You Can Foster TV and radio advert.

The You Can Foster advert stars existing foster carers from across the region, including carers from Rochdale, looking for more people to come forward with room in their heart and homes.

Cheryl Eastwood, Executive Director at Rochdale Borough Council, said, “Recruiting new carers is crucial. We’ve had a great response to the previous campaigns run and gained some wonderful new foster carers. But sadly the need for carers is a need that doesn’t go away and I hope that anyone who thinks they could be able to help make a real difference to a child’s life will take the time to find out more about fostering.”

The event starts at 7pm. For more information contact the fostering team on 01706 922422 or email fostering@rochdale.gov.uk

For more information on fostering for your local authority visit http://www.youcanfoster.org/