People are being encouraged to let fostering make their house a home in a new campaign. Fostering for Wolverhampton is hoping more households will take on this life-changing role in 2017 – and are encouraging people who are interested in fostering to attend a drop-in session to find out more.
They will be taking place at the following locations:
· Queen Square, Wolverhampton, Monday 23 January, 10am-3pm
· WV Active Bilston-Bert Williams, Nettlefolds Way, Tuesday 24 January, 10am-4pm
· Bentley Bridge Retail Park, Wednesfield, Wednesday 25 January, 10am-4pm
· Molineux Stadium, Wednesday 25 January, 6.30pm-8pm
· Central Library, Wolverhampton, Thursday 26 January, 10am-4pm
· Waitrose, Penn Road, Friday 27 January, 10am-3.30pm.
Anyone who cannot attend one of the drop-in sessions is invited to find out more about Fostering for Wolverhampton at www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/fostering or by calling 01902 551133 or searching "Fostering for Wolves" on Facebook.
Carl Bradburn, who has been a foster carer for 18 months, said: “Fostering for Wolverhampton helps make my house a home – it enriches our lives and the young people bring us so much joy. I have five children of my own, plus a foster child and it keeps the house young.”
Emma Goodwin, who has been a foster carers for eight years, added: “My children love having a foster child in the house – they see the little boy as their brother and have grown up over the years together. If anyone wants to foster I’d say go for it – it is a rewarding and fantastic job to do.”
Councillor Val Gibson, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: "We have a fabulous group of more than 200 foster carers in Wolverhampton, but we're always keen to hear from other people who want to offer a loving home to children.
"Foster carers can be single, married or in a relationship and help and support is available 24 hours a day. Placements can be anything from a few days to a number of years, and they receive a regular, tax exempt allowance to cover the cost of bringing up the child.
"Our foster carers receive six months' support from experienced carers who will guide them through the system, and we also provide intensive support for the first six weeks of a placement and every month thereafter.
"Our Fostering for Wolverhampton team will be at various locations in and around the city to meet people who want to find out more, and I would encourage anyone who is thinking of taking on this life-changing role to please get in touch with us."
