Welcome to the August edition of our local council fostering newsletter!
It feels like Summer is now in full swing, and with the sunshine comes a season of energy, connection, and activity across our fostering community.
Here at Fostering South West, it’s been a busy and exciting time! From supporting our local authority partners at events in the community, delivering our popular virtual information sessions to rolling out some exciting new branding initiatives. There’s been so much happening that we’re thrilled to share with you.
In this edition, you’ll find updates on recent events, learn more about an exciting new collaboration, and as always, we will be shining a spotlight on some of the incredible work our amazing foster carers across the region are doing every day.
So, grab a cool drink, find a sunny spot (or a shady one!), and enjoy catching up on all the latest from us here at Fostering South West.
Helping Him Find His Voice: A Foster Carer’s Proudest Moment
There are countless proud moments in a fostering journey- milestones that stay with carers forever. We’re delighted to share this video with you where Eileen, a proud foster carer for Swindon Borough Council shares one of her most heartfelt experiences.
A young unaccompanied asylum-seeking child came to live with her, unable to speak a word of English. With patience, compassion, and unwavering support, Eileen helped him find his feet, grow in confidence, and embrace his new life.
He went on to complete his GCSEs and enrol in college- a remarkable achievement that speaks volumes about his resilience and Eileen’s dedication. Stories like this remind us of the quiet, powerful impact foster carers have every day- changing lives, one child at a time.
Diversity in Fostering: Reflecting the Children We Care For
Foster care is all about providing safe, stable, and nurturing homes for children who can’t live with their birth families. But did you know there’s a growing gap between the ethnic backgrounds of children in care and the foster carers supporting them?
Cultural identity plays a vital role in a child’s sense of belonging and emotional well-being. When carers share or understand a child’s cultural background, it helps children feel seen, supported, and connected. Without that cultural connection, children may face challenges such as identity confusion, isolation, or difficulty maintaining their language, religion, or traditions.
Latest figures from one of our local authority partners, Swindon Borough Council show that while 74.9% of children in care are White, nearly 90% of foster carers are White British. Children from Mixed, Black, Asian, and other ethnic backgrounds are significantly underrepresented among carers- highlighting the need for greater diversity in fostering.
If you or someone you know could help reflect the diversity of our fostering community and make a difference in a child’s life, we’d love to hear from you.
Authentically Us: A Photoshoot with Purpose
We’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the amazing foster carers who recently took part in our photoshoots in Devon and Bristol.
Your willingness to step in front of the camera and share a glimpse of your fostering journey has helped us create a powerful collection of authentic images that truly reflect the heart of what we do.
These photos will play a key role in our upcoming regional marketing and communications campaigns, helping to raise awareness and inspire others to consider fostering. Your support means so much and your stories continue to make a lasting impact.
A New Chapter: Collaborating with Children’s Author Holly Marlow
We’re thrilled to announce an exciting new collaboration between Fostering South West and Holly Marlow, a talented children’s author whose work beautifully reflects the experiences of children in care.
Holly’s books explore themes of love, belonging, identity, and resilience, offering gentle, honest stories that help children in care, and those around them, understand and navigate their unique journeys.
Together, we’ll be working on creative ways to work towards our shared goal of raising awareness of fostering and providing meaningful support for children in care, so they feel seen, valued, understood and empowered to thrive.
We’re so excited about what’s to come and grateful to Holly for joining us on this journey.
Something exciting is coming…
Here’s a little sneak peek at something special we’ve been working on… more to come very soon!
We’re gearing up to launch a powerful new regional campaign that will shine a spotlight on the life-changing impact of fostering- just in time for the new academic year.
This isn’t just a campaign. It’s a movement to show how fostering can help children feel safe, supported, and ready to thrive. We’ll be sharing real stories, emotional insights, and the incredible rewards of standing behind a child as they take their next steps in education and life.
Stay tuned. This is more than just a campaign- it’s a call to believe in children, to stand behind them, and to help shape brighter tomorrows.
Tune in to our latest podcast… Rooted in Community: Torbay’s Approach to Fostering
In our latest episode, we sit down with Annette, who works in the recruitment and retention of foster carers for Torbay Council. She offers a powerful front-line perspective on how Torbay Council is working hand-in-hand with the community to champion fostering. From partnerships with PureGym, local sports clubs, and Mood Bears, to the shared mission of keeping children local and connected, Annette highlights the incredible impact of community collaboration.
This episode shines a light on the strategic and heartfelt work happening behind the scenes- mobilising support, recruiting carers, and building a nurturing network around children in care.
Annette’s passion is infectious, and her insights are a must-listen for anyone interested in how local partnerships can truly transform lives.
Keep in touch with us
Don’t miss out on our fresh content across our social media channels! Follow them via the buttons below.