Welcome to our May newsletter at Fostering South West
As we move into brighter, sunnier days and enjoy a series of bank holidays, we’re reminded of how important it is to take time to pause, recharge, and make the most of moments together. May often brings a renewed energy, and with it, a busy period of events, activities, and opportunities to connect with our fostering community.
In this edition, we’re excited to share updates, celebrate fostering, and highlight the fantastic work happening across our region. Thank you, as always, for your continued commitment and support – you make a real difference every day.
Patience, Space and Care- helping children feel at home.
Foster carer, Karen shares some thoughtful advice about how to help children in care feel safe and supported.
In this video, Karen emphasises the importance of recognising each child as an individual, taking time to understand who they are and what they need. Building trust doesn’t happen overnight, so it’s important to move at a pace that feels comfortable for the young person.
Providing a sense of security is key – letting children know you are there for them, while also giving them the space to come to you when they feel ready. By showing patience, consistency, and understanding, foster carers can help children begin to feel safe, valued, and at home.
Foster Care Fortnight
Foster Care Fortnight is the UK’s biggest awareness raising campaign for fostering. #FCF26 will run from Monday 11th May – Sunday 24th May and the theme this year is ‘This is Fostering’, celebrating and raising awareness of the different stories across the fostering community.
The theme, ‘This is Fostering’, celebrates the many different stories across our fostering community. It’s a powerful opportunity to highlight the real, everyday experiences of fostering and the positive difference foster carers make in children’s lives.
It also brings us together as a strong and supportive community -foster carers, kinship carers and supporters – giving us an opportunity to share our voices, celebrate our impact, and continue building a positive future for fostering together.
How are we celebrating Foster Care Fortnight across our region…
Throughout Foster Care Fortnight, we’re recognising fostering across the South West – celebrating foster carers, families and the local teams who support you, and the shared commitment to children that connects all 15 local authorities across our region.
During the fortnight, we’ll be sharing videos and messages from each local authority, as well as highlighting the many events taking place across the South West. Be sure to tune into our socials to follow along and see what is happening across the region.
Throughout the rest of May and June, our This is Fostering campaign focuses on these ordinary, stable moments that help children begin to feel safe again, and on the people across the South West who make them possible – consistently, day after day.
This is Fostering…
It can be the big, life-changing moments, but more often it’s the many small, everyday things that come together to make a lasting difference.
It doesn’t have to be extraordinary to have a powerful impact. It’s walking side by side to school, creating space for trust and connection to grow. It’s planning a small outing together, offering kindness and reassurance so that a simple trip becomes an opportunity to build confidence and discover new possibilities. It’s sharing cooking and everyday household tasks, finding belonging in the routine. And it’s the fun, spontaneous moments – games around the table and shared laughter – that bring everyone closer. In these small acts, something truly meaningful is created.
If you feel you can open your heart to a young person in need and would like to find out more about fostering with your local council, please contact our friendly and supportive team today on 0300 456 0120.
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