Westover County Councillor urges support for Somerset Fostering Week

County Councillor Leigh Redman urges support for Fostering

How did you feel when you first came into care? What do you think about your Foster Carer? What do you think makes a good Foster Carer? These are the big questions being answered by children in care in a new video to celebrate Somerset Fostering Week (23-29 Jan).

Five 11 to 21 year-olds from Somerset’s in Care and Leaving Care Councils recorded their touching, insightful and personal interviews. Their thoughts have been stitched together and set to speedy footage of sketched cartoons depicting children and Foster Carers – necessary to protect their identities.

The County Council believes that by sharing their video with the wider public, the young people hope to inspire viewers to consider becoming one of Somerset’s much-needed Foster Carers. A spokesperson says “This video shoots straight to the heart with its honesty and insight. It is both refreshing and thought-provoking to hear these children articulate their experiences of being in Foster Care, from their fears when they first came into care, to settling into their new homes, and getting to know, and grow attached to, their Foster Carers. As we continue searching for more Somerset people to respond to our children’s need for enthusiastic individuals to foster, there can be little more powerful than hearing from the children themselves.”

Watch the video

 

The video is available to watch on YouTube here.

The children’s views on ‘what makes a good foster carer?’ were used to develop Somerset County Council’s ‘Top Ten’ qualities people need to be fantastic carers.

These include:

  1. Flexible
  2. Patient
  3. Kind
  4. Consistent
  5. Trustworthy
  6. Honest
  7. Good listener
  8. Understanding
  9. Available
  10. Sense of humour

A Somerset spokesperson said  “We are looking for people with these ‘Top Ten’ qualities who will consider putting their valuable skills to good use. I urge you to give us a call on 0800 587 9900, look at our website www.fosteradoptsomerset.org.uk or come to one of our events in Somerset Fostering Week to find out more about this amazing opportunity.”

Westover event 26th January

During Somerset Fostering Week the fostering team are holding a number of events across the county. People can come along to an event to have an informal chat with friendly staff and speak to foster carers. The Bridgwater event will be in Westover on Thursday 26 January, 11am-5pm at Angel Place Shopping Centre in Bridgwater. Drop by anytime to speak to friendly and professional staff.

If you want to find out more, please phone our friendly, professional team on 0800 587 9900. Read about Fostering in Somerset schemes, case studies, upcoming information events and download an information pack by visiting www.fosteradoptsomerset.org.uk. You can also ‘like’ the Fostering in Somerset Facebook page or follow @fostersomerset on Twitter.  

Leigh Redman is the County Councillor for Bridgwater South which includes Westover and Hamp

County Councillor urges support

Westover’s County Councillor Leigh Redman (Labour, Bridgwater South)  says “As chair of Somerset County Council Children and families scrutiny committee and huge supporter of our ‘children looked after’ I fully support these events, the need for foster carers is high, raising the profile for the public through town centre events is a great idea.Fostering is a special gift people can give these young people, register for the event or just seek further information.Anyone can foster so go along to the Bridgwater event Thursday 26 January, 11am-5pm at Angel Place Shopping Centre in Bridgwater or make that call, you will be rewarded.”