Join our Gateshead fostering community this Foster Care Fortnight

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15 May 2024

When a child or young person goes into care it can be worrying for them. Foster carers play a vital role at what can be a difficult time, providing love and support to help the young person feel secure.

This Foster Care Fortnight (13 to 26 May) our fostering service is asking people to consider opening their door to fostering and is inviting people to get in touch to find out more.

We welcome foster carers from all walks of life and backgrounds. Whether you are single or with a partner, male or female, a homeowner or renting, identify as LGBTQ+ or as straight, or whatever ethnic, religious or cultural background you are from, we want to hear from you. If you have the love and security to give a child, we believe you can foster.

This year Foster Care Fortnight celebrates Fostering Moments - the moments that define fostering journeys, big and small. Fostering moments that built confidence, made young people feel safe and created memories. We asked are carers to share their special moments.

Carol has been fostering with us for ten years alongside husband Paul and they have fostered over fifty children. She said: "One of the things I really get out of fostering is experiencing children's firsts, taking children on holiday for the first time, going on an aeroplane, even just going to see the seaside for the first time.

"It's been lovely to see their faces and have those experiences and share them together."

Foster carer Nigel who alongside his wife Sandra fosters a young boy with autism said: "The best bits for me are the small random moments that you don't expect.

"You have a moment with a child or you're watching them do something and it's something that they haven't done before. Especially when it comes to disabilities, the little steps and the little improvements and changes are massive and are really celebrated here."

The offer for foster carers has never been better at Gateshead. With a wide range of support and training, more benefits, and varied events programme for carers.

Anyone over the age of 21 with a spare room can find out more about becoming a foster carer with Gateshead. Those eligible will receive a weekly payment depending on skills, knowledge, experience and the type of placement offered. In addition, Gateshead's foster carers can also access the council's staff discount scheme, with discounts ranging from cheaper weekly food shop to entertainment, travel and holidays.

Andrea Houlahan, Deputy Strategic Director for Children's Social Care and Early Help said: "We cannot be more grateful for our amazing community of carers in Gateshead, who provide our children and young people with safe, loving homes.

"That's why we're always striving to improve our offer with carers, including access to our Mockingbird Hub and community support, support from an experienced and highly skilled fostering team, as well as discount schemes and a range of social events for our fostering families.

"If you have ever considered fostering, now is the best time to join us and welcome a child or young person into your home, offering them the best chance to thrive."

By choosing to foster with Gateshead, you will be supported every step of the way. If you think you've got the qualities to become part of our fostering community, take the opportunity to take the first step during Foster Care Fortnight.

To find out more, visit Foster with Gateshead or contact our regional hub Foster with North East on 0800 917 7771 or email [email protected]