Meet our foster carers and make a connection
Telford & Wrekin Council’s fostering service will host an information drop-in event this week (10–14 JUNE) at Southwater One.
A week into Foster Care Fortnight, the Council is inviting residents to consider their connection to fostering and come and find out more.
Foster Care Fortnight is the Fostering Network's annual campaign to raise the profile of fostering.
This year’s Foster Care Fortnight (1–14 June) takes the theme of making a connection and asks people to think about what fostering means to them, their family, and their friends.
Telford & Wrekin Council is always looking for new foster carers and wants local people to think about any connection they have to fostering.
Elisa, 35, is one of the Council’s foster carers. She took in a friend’s child 11 years ago and has been connected to fostering ever since.
Her first foster child has been with her ever since and is now 19 and still lives with her.
Elisa had no previous experience of fostering and found herself doing it almost by accident, but has enjoyed seeing the progress and change that her foster daughter has made while in her care.
Her two birth daughters, aged 17 and seven, have both grown up with their foster sister and it’s clear that the three girls see each other as family.
Elisa’s foster daughter is now preparing to leave home this summer but knows that she has a home to come back to whenever she wants.
The experience meant that Elisa and her husband, Mike, 33, decided they were keen to build on this and wanted to foster again.
The couple have been fostering together for the last five years and last summer converted their garage to create a spare bedroom which would allow them to take another placement.
Last summer two young sisters, aged one and three, were placed with the couple.
Elisa says that fostering is hugely rewarding because you see the change and difference in the children.
Councillor Paul Watling, cabinet member for Children, Young People and Families, said: “Our foster carers do an amazing job and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank them for the work they do.
“But we always need more and we want everyone to consider their connection to fostering this Foster Care Fortnight.
“Does your child know someone who is fostered and have you seen them flourish in a loving environment?
“If you have the time, patience and a spare bedroom and want to make a difference to a local child’s life – we want to hear from you.”
Current foster carers and fostering staff are holding a drop-in at Southwater One from 10–14 June between 10am and 4pm.
Everyone is invited to come and find out more, by asking someone who actually fosters.
Drop in for chat and make a connection with fostering.
Alternatively, if someone can’t make the drop-in, they can call 01952 385385 for a chat about fostering.
