Fostering can mean everything to those involved. That’s the message of a powerful new fostering film launched by Swindon Borough Council on 17 October.
The Council has joined forces for a second year with 100 other councils across the country to produce a video entitled ‘Everything’. It will be used in the coming weeks and months as part of the Council’s ongoing campaign to recruit more foster carers.
Currently, more than 120 children and young people are living miles away from Swindon, separated from their family and friends because the Council does not have enough local foster carers who can provide a loving home.
There are more than 300 children, from babies to teenagers, under the care of the Council because they cannot stay in their own home. Forty-one per cent of these children were placed more than 20 miles away as there are not enough carers in Swindon for those children to stay in the town they call home.
The Council is in desperate need of new foster carers to join its strong community of foster carers. When someone decides to become a foster carer, fostering can mean everything to those involved.
The ‘Everything’ video follows foster carer Mike and his family on a journey through time with two of the children they have looked after, who are now adults. A surprise 60th birthday party for Mike gives Will and Zara a chance to reflect on how being fostered made a difference to their lives, thanking him for everything.
The concluding message of the film is that what you do with your life could forever change someone else’s – encouraging people to foster in order to make that change.
The Council hosted a launch event on 17 October at the Civic Offices in Euclid Street, where existing foster carers, community faith leaders and councillors were shown the full film and encouraged to support the campaign.
Councillor Paul Dixon, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Children's Social Care, said: “This new film highlights the long-term incredible impact that fostering can have, with relationships between carers and children lasting well into adulthood.
“It has been developed in collaboration with other local authorities, which has been an efficient way to pool funding and resources. We’ll be using the film as part of our ongoing campaign to recruit more foster carers who can provide a loving home for local children.
“If you or someone you know has ever considered being a foster carer, seize the moment and get in touch find out more. Just search ‘fostering’ on the Council’s website, call 07917 503447 or email fosteringrecruitment@swindon.gov.uk.. We can give you all the information you need to help decide if this could be the right opportunity for you.”
For anyone looking to start their fostering journey, visit the fostering pages on the Swindon Borough Council website: Foster with Swindon | Swindon Borough Council.
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