You can foster

Cheshire East Council is teaming up with local authorities from across the region to boost the number of people becoming foster carers in 2012.

Twenty three councils from across the north west are working together again for the You Can Foster campaign. The programme, which was first launched in 2010, aims to show there is no such thing as a 'typical' foster carer.

Over the course of Foster Care Fortnight (May 14 – 27) there will be television and radio adverts encouraging people of all ages to come forward and look into how they too can change a person's life for the better.

One of the main messages of the You Can Foster campaign is to show the diversity of foster carers and to encourage applications from people regardless of ethnicity, gender, age, sexuality, marital or employment status.

Cheshire East Council provides foster carers with full training and continuing practical, emotional and financial support.

A range of activities and recruitment events are planned in Cheshire East around Foster Care Fortnight. They are:

* May 25 and 26 – a stand at Handforth Dean with Stockport Council;
* June 11 – adoption information evening, Brine Leas School, Nantwich at 6.30pm;
* June 19 and 20 – Cheshire County Show;
* July 2 – fostering information evening at Middlewich Community Church at 6.30pm; and
* July 25 – Nantwich Show.

Councillor Hilda Gaddum, Cabinet member with responsibility for children and family services, said: "I hope this campaign persuades people who have never thought about becoming a foster carer, to explore the subject more thoroughly. Fostering can be an immensely rewarding experience and we are always looking for more people.

"Fostering doesn't have to be on a long-term basis, it can involve looking after a child for a shorter period, such as a weekend.

"There is no such thing as a typical foster carer and applications from all backgrounds are welcome."

For more information on fostering in Cheshire East visit www.youcanfoster.org or telephone 0800 634 7052.

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