Vital contribution of hundreds of foster families in Staffordshire highlighted

Every day almost 400 foster families across Staffordshire provide a loving and stable home to around 700 children and young people, and this commitment from families is ongoing during the coronavirus outbreak. This year's Foster Care Fortnight, from 11 to 24 May, will raise awareness of the extraordinary dedication and work of foster carers, while calling for more people to come forward to foster. As part of the national campaign, a series of online information events and videos from foster carers sharing their experiences of fostering will run throughout the fortnight. Staffordshire County Council's Fostering Service needs to recruit around 60 families this year and anyone who thinks they might have the skills and experience is being urged to get in touch. Mark Sutton, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People at Staffordshire County Council said: "Foster carers accomplish incredible things every day, even in the face of a global crisis like Coronavirus which is affecting every one of us.  But, despite the extra challenges that this presents, they continue to provide day-to-day support, love and stability to children who can't live with their birth families. "Foster carers support children and young people's education, health, and social wellbeing, and also help to maintain the children's relationships with the people who are important to them but who they cannot currently see in person. "Foster Care Fortnight is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the work of all our foster families and I would like to thank them personally for the amazing difference they make to children's lives. "We do have an urgent need for more foster carers, so if it's something you are considering please get in touch with the team." Staffordshire foster carer, Sharon Chetwynd, is also supporting this year's Foster Care Fortnight campaign. Sharon said: "Fostering means being able to provide a safe and secure base for a young person. You are never alone as a foster carer there is lots of training and support and I'd encourage anyone interested to find out more." Beryl Bull is a foster carer from Lichfield and said: "I've been fostering for just over a year now and it's been a real mixture of excitement and challenges, however, I feel we have made a real difference to a young person's life. You are never on your own as a foster carer, there is lots of support and fun times to be had and I'd encourage anyone interested to get in touch." For more information on fostering with Staffordshire County Council visit www.care4child.org. People can also view the online information events and videos at Facebook.com/staffsfosterandadopt