Get in the picture for fostering

Shoppers are being urged to get in the picture to help raise awareness of fostering in Blackburn with Darwen for national Foster Care Fortnight (June 1-14).

Blackburn with Darwen Council’s Let’s Foster service will install a photo booth in The Mall and is urging parents and children of all ages to come and get their photographs taken together – making use of an assortment of fun dressing up props.

Pictures taken in the booth will be automatically uploaded to the Let’s Foster Facebook page, where people will be able to like or share and download their own photographs.

The photo booth will be set up in Victoria Square in The Mall between noon and 2pm on Saturday, May 30, Wednesday, June 3 and Friday, June 5. Members of the Council’s fostering team will be on hand to speak to shoppers and answer their questions about fostering.

The following week, the booth will be taken out to a range of venues including Blackburn College.

The Council needs to recruit new foster carers to look after vulnerable children and young people, particularly older children and brothers and sisters who need to be looked after together.

Cllr Maureen Bateson, Executive Member for Children’s Services, said:

“This is a fun event for national fostering fortnight, which we hope will help to raise awareness of fostering and encourage more people to visit our Let’s Foster Facebook page.

However, it comes with a serious message – that we desperately need more local people to come forward and foster Blackburn with Darwen children.

We welcome foster carers of all ages and from all walks of life and personal qualities such as patience and understanding, plus the ability to offer a safe and stable home are what’s important.”

There are many different types of fostering, from short-term placements and short breaks for families with children with disabilities to providing a long-term or even permanent home.

Fostering is a rewarding, paid and professional role that comes with extensive training and on-going support. Foster carers come from a wide variety of backgrounds and can be considered regardless of gender, age, marital or job status.