Recruiting the next generation of foster carers to change futures

Tower Hamlets has launched a bid to find foster carers to provide homes for vulnerable children across the borough.

Every year the borough needs to recruit 15 foster carers to give a loving home to children who for whatever reason cannot live with their birth parents.

Foster care fortnight, running between May 13 and 26 will focus on the incredible job foster carers do and appeal for others to come forward.

Last October Afia Choudary, a Tower Hamlets foster carer who has fostered dozens of children in over  a decade whilst helping other foster carers, was awarded the Fostering Network’s President’s Award for her exceptional contribution to fostering.

Afia is supporting the campaign to recruit more foster carers like her by encouraging potential foster carers to attend events running across the fortnight that will show what’s involved and who to speak to about fostering in Tower Hamlets.

John Biggs, Mayor of Tower Hamlets said: “We are really proud of our foster carers in Tower Hamlets and over the next fortnight we will be celebrating their contribution and encouraging others to do the same.I urge anyone interested in fostering to visit our website or attend an event over the fortnight to find out what’s involved and see how you can make a difference to ensure the best start in life for our young people.”

Councillor Danny Hassell, Cabinet Member for Children Schools and Young People said:“We need at least 15 new foster carers every year to provide a home to our children. I pay tribute to our foster carers who do fantastic work with some of our most vulnerable children and young people.  We provide excellent support to our foster caters to enable them to do this.
I encourage anyone who might be interested to check out our events throughout the fortnight or get in contact to find out more.”

An information session on 16 May at 6 – 8pmat the Town Hall will use virtual reality technology to show potential foster carers just how difficult life can be for the children and young people who come into care and how having a brilliant foster carer can turn things around.

Developed by the Cornerstone Partnership, a social enterprise with a mission to improve the lives of children and families touched by the care system, the virtual reality experience will allow parents and carers to experience life from the perspective of the child through headsets. The technology offers a different way to understand the impact of attachment and trauma through the eyes of the child.

Other sessions to hear about the fostering opportunities in Tower Hamlets will be held on the following dates at 10am – 3pm:

Wednesday 15 May, Brady Community Centre, Hanbury St London E1 5HU.

Wednesday  22 May, Idea Store Whitechapel, London E1 1BU

Thursday 23 May, Idea Store Whitechapel, London E1 1BU.