Isle of Wight Council’s Fostering Team are touring the Island, taking information on being a foster carer to numerous Island towns. The tour is part of this year’s Fostering Fortnight which is being held between 12 – 24 May.
A large trailer will be visiting various locations across the Island during the two weeks. Fostering staff as well as current carers will be available to speak to during the day. There will also be lots of information available to take away. Anyone who registers their interest will be invited to an open evening held later in the summer.
Foster Care Fortnight, co-ordinated by the Fostering Network, is an annual UK-wide awareness campaign which raises the profile of fostering and highlights the need for more foster carers. During last year’s Fostering Fortnight held on the Island, dozens of people registered their interest in becoming involved in fostering.
The trailer can be found at the following locations between 1000 and 1500 each day:
MAY
12 Newport, St Thomas Square
13 Cowes, Esplanade Car Park
15 Newport, St James Square
16 Sandown, Heights Car Park
19 Newport, St Thomas Square
20 Shanklin, Old Village Car Park
21 West Wight (Freshwater), Moa Place Car Park
23 Ryde, Esplanade Car Park
Steve Beynon, Isle of Wight Council’s Head of Children’s Services, says “Foster carers make a huge difference to the lives of children who do not have their natural family around them to look up to. Many of us perhaps don’t realise just how important carers are. By touring the Island during Fostering Fortnight gives people interested in fostering the opportunity to speak to professionals in their own towns and villages. It is well known there is a shortage of foster carers on the Island which is why it is very important we support events such as Fostering Fortnight”
Currently there are 196 children in care and 176 foster carers. If you require more information regarding Fostering Fortnight or Isle of Wight Council’s Fostering Service, ring 566011 or log on to the Council website.
