Fostering campaign supported by Aberdeenshire Council
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Aberdeenshire Council is backing a national campaign to raise awareness of the benefits of fostering.
Run by the Fostering Network, Foster Care Fortnight has been taking place for more than 20 years, with the campaign showcasing the commitment, passion and dedication of foster carers as well as highlighting the need for more to come forward.
The theme of this year’s Foster Care Fortnight is #WhyWeCare, which acknowledges the contribution made by the whole fostering community across Scotland following the challenges posed by coronavirus.
Despite Covid-19 and the resultant restrictions, foster carers in Aberdeenshire have made a real difference.
They have supported children with home schooling and created innovative opportunities for learning such as hatching and rearing baby chicks.
Foster carers have also supported young people to prepare for university life and moving out on their own during the pandemic.
A number of foster carers are supporting children to apply for settled status as well as learning new skills to help children and young people to stay in touch with those important to them.
The council’s own service is supporting Foster Care Fortnight, which takes place from Monday to Sunday, May 23, by completing a virtual mileage challenge through collectively travelling the perimeter of Aberdeenshire – 457 kilometres, as many times as they can.
Aberdeenshire Council’s director of education and children’s services Laurence Findlay said: “I have been hugely impressed with how our services have continued to offer support to those children and young people who need it most in the midst of the global coronavirus pandemic.
"Many adapted the way they work to meet the needs of our communities during this challenging and changeable time.
"This has seen the fostering service reduce the number of face-to-face appointments whilst offering more telephone support instead.”
The local authority's head of children’s services Leigh Jolly said: “Fostering is hugely rewarding because by providing care to a child or young person you can really make a positive difference to their lives.
"Our friendly service is available any time to support you as you begin your fostering journey so you can soon show why you care.”
People who are interested in becoming a foster carer or would like an information pack, can contact fostering.befriending@aberdeenshire.gov.uk or 01467 532700.
For more information about Foster Care Fortnight or to donate to the Fostering Network visit www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/get-involved/foster-care-fortnight
