Anyone interested in becoming a foster carer can find out everything they need to know at a series of information events to mark Foster Care Fortnight.

Fostering First, which is responsible for foster care across the Island and part of The Children’s Centre charity, is organising the events. They start on Tuesday May 5th at The Strand Shopping Centre from noon to 2pm, with further information events at the same location and at the same times on May 6th and May 7th. Fostering First staff will be there to give out information about becoming a foster carer and answer any questions or concerns that potential carers may have.

On Friday May 8th there will be similar events at the Sea Terminal from noon to 2pm, and every day from May 11th to 15th there will be events at the Tesco store at the same times.

Nigel Howard, Deputy Team Manager at Fostering First, said:

“The aim of this campaign is to provide anyone who is thinking that they could become a foster carer with an opportunity to come and talk to us. Becoming a foster carer can be an incredibly rewarding experience and make a huge difference to a child’s life. All foster carers have lots of questions to ask before they make such a big decision, and we will have an experienced fostering team present and a foster carer at all of these events to provide answers.”

Foster carers can come from a wide range of backgrounds and it’s not essential for them to have parenting experience. However, some experience and knowledge of children is beneficial. What all foster carers must be is caring and understanding, and possess the ability and desire to help a child grow emotionally. Foster carers must be over 21 (there is no upper age limit), and they can be married, divorced or single, or co-habiting. It does not matter whether or not they own their own home. All foster carers (especially those new to fostering) receive training, help, and support from Fostering First as well as financial remuneration to cover the expenses of caring for a child.

Fostering First also hosts a series of monthly drop-in sessions at its HQ which is Bourne House, 97 Woodbourne Road, Douglas. These sessions also offer an opportunity for anyone interested in fostering to pop in for an informal chat with staff and get answers to any questions or concerns they may have. The next three sessions are as follows:

• May 22: Noon to 2pm
• June 25: 5pm to 7pm
• July 24: Noon to 2pm

Foster Care Fortnight is a campaign developed and co-ordinated by The Fostering Network in the UK to raise awareness of the importance of fostering. In the UK the campaign will run from June 1st to 15th, but here in the Isle of Man it’s being brought forward to avoid a clash with the TT. The theme this year is ‘MAKE A CONNECTION’ and so staff will be asking ‘whats your connection to fostering’

To find out more about fostering just attend one of the drop-in sessions or contact Fostering First by phoning 631947, or emailing fosteringfirst@thechildrenscentre.org.im. 

You also find more information at http://www.thechildrenscentre.org.im/ 

Photo - Nigel Howard, Deputy Manager at Fostering First.