Appeal for more ‘emergency foster carers’ over Christmas as ‘Let’s Get Back Together’ fostering event a huge success

Every day 123 foster families from across Blackburn with Darwen are giving 246 fostered children and young people a loving, secure and stable home and this commitment has been ongoing throughout the pandemic.

This is why a ‘thank you celebration’ event for children and their carers was held recently. The ‘Let’s Get Back Together’ day was organised by the Foster Carers Association and held at the TIPIS at Riley Green where foster carers were celebrated for all the work that they do.

The children had many activities to enjoy after being unable to take part in group activities for so long.

A foster child who attended said:

It was absolutely phenomenal, definitely a day to remember.

The Foster carers that attended the event were also very appreciative, Peter, who fosters for Blackburn with Darwen Council, said:

I would like to thank Children’s Services for funding such a much needed event for all our children of all ages, I spent all afternoon watching all of their smiling faces, even the babies there. A massive thank you to all of the Foster Carers Association for all their time put in to organising this. We even managed to have the weather. Great work to all the carers for making the effort to give all the children a much-needed boost. Thanks again.

Claire another foster carer who attended the event echoed the gratitude:

Yesterday was a fab, well organised event, looking forward to future ones. Kiddies big and small loved it. A big well done to the organisers.

Cllr Julie Gunn, Executive Member for Children’s Services, said:

The Foster Carers Association (FCA) arranged the most wonderful event at the Tipis and it was fantastic to see so many of our children and young people having fun, tackling the assault course, face painting, enjoying the circus skills, the climbing wall and the delicious food too.
The weather was great, it really was a perfect day for everyone to spend time together, the care, support of our carers is clear for all to see, we know how lucky we are in BwD to have them, and that is why we were keen to support the celebration.
My thanks go to everyone who helped to organise the day, the FCA and Children’s Services, Young People’s Services and special thanks too to the Tipis for hosting our party at such a beautiful venue.

The ‘Lets Foster’ team have also recently launched a Health and Wellbeing fortnight. The aim was to make sure foster carers in BwD are provided with the right support with a focus on how we look after each other and ourselves.

The fostering service wants to ensure that foster carers are given every opportunity to maintain and flourish with positive health and wellbeing for themselves.

In December, the FCA will be hosting a Christmas Party at The Legends Lounge at Blackburn Rovers. This will be open to all Blackburn with Darwen foster carers and families, as well as our fostering staff.

Focus for recruitment over the Christmas Period will be for Emergency Foster Carers. Special carers who could take a child or young person at a moment’s notice. This could be after school for one night or over a weekend until arrangements have been made for a more permanent solution. Emergency foster carers normally have other jobs but are able to help us help a child or young person when they need them most.

Jayne Ivory, Director of Children’s Services added:

Foster carers accomplish incredible things every day, even in the face of a global crisis that has affected every one of us and impacted all aspects of our society.
Despite the practical and emotional challenges that the pandemic is bringing, foster carers continue to provide day-to-day support, love and stability to children and young people who can’t live with their birth families. They support children and young people’s education, health, and social wellbeing, and help to maintain the children’s relationship with the people who are important to them. Blackburn with Darwen urgently needs more foster carers to make sure fostered children can live with the right foster carer for them.
Short break or emergency foster care also allows foster carers to build their experience and confidence so if you’ve ever considered fostering please get in touch.

For more information regarding Fostering visit https://www.letsfoster.co.uk/ or call 0800 328 6919