Wokingham

As Wokingham foster care fortnight gets underway across the country next month (May), Wokingham District Council is urging local people to think about fostering opportunities which can be a very rewarding experience.

Wokingham Foster carers are key to any fostered child’s future. They can and do make a real difference to children's lives by providing a safe family environment for children to live in.

There is an urgent need for new foster carers to be found in the Wokingham district especially if they are able and willing to take on teenagers and the district council is keen to hear from anyone who might be interested and urges them to get in touch!

This appeal is being sent out as part of the UK-wide campaign Foster Care Fortnight which is running from May 8 to 21, co-ordinated by the fostering charity the Fostering Network. During the two week campaign, Wokingham Family Placement Team, together with fostering services all over the UK, will be working to encourage more local people to think about fostering and to consider becoming foster carers.

Maeve Coupe, Wokingham fostering team manager, said: “We have 62 children currently being looked after in the Wokingham district. However, due to shortages of local carers many of these young people are not placed locally. This can create further difficulties in terms of young people not being able to continue in their school and maintaining contact with their families and friends.”

Anyone over 21 can apply to become a foster carer and there are many different ways to get involved. Maeve added: “Foster carers have a vital role to play in fostering brighter futures, and by giving children in care the best possible start in life. If you think you have got what it takes to become a foster carer, there are many different ways to get involved – it’s even possible to foster on a part-time basis.

“We are holding two information sessions on June 10 and 14* and local people are being encouraged to come and find out more,” said Maeve. If you would like to come along to either of these sessions please phone Wokingham Family Placement Team on (0118) 944 5468 to book a place.

In addition to the information sessions, local people can find out more information on fostering from displays at the civic offices in Shute End, Wokingham and Wokingham Library, Denmark Street, Wokingham. There will also be information stands Morrisons in Woosehill, Wokingham on May 19 and Woodley Children’s Fun Day on June 3. This is a great chance for local people to come along and meet some of the district council’s foster carers and members of the Wokingham Family Placement Team.

Alternatively, they can call (0118) 944 5468 and speak to a member of the Wokingham Family Placement Team.

Wokingham District Council