Foster Care Fortnight runs from Monday May 16 to Sunday May 29 and Hammersmith and Fulham Council is holdng three open events for local people who are interested in becoming carers.

This year’s fortnight, with the slogan Fostering: time to care, highlights the urgent need for more foster carers in the country.  And in H&F, it is no different – the borough needs at least 300 potential new carers to step forward every year to make sure all the borough’s children have a safe and loving home.

Last year, the campaign drew hundreds of enquiries from local residents, most of whom attended fostering open days.

H&F says it is looking for people aged 23 or over, from all backgrounds to consider applying. There are many different types of fostering arrangements and one may suit your situation and change a child’s life for the better.

Visitors to the drop-in events will be able to meet the council’s fostering team plus foster carers and some young people who have been in care. There will also be 45 minute presentations from social workers. The open days are on:

May 16
Hammersmith Town Hall
King Street, W6 9JU
2pm - 7pm
(Presentations at: 2.30pm,
4.30pm, 6pm)

May 20
Young Chelsea Bridge Club
32 Barkston Street
SW5 0EN
10am - 3pm
(Presentations at: 10.30am,
12pm, 1.30pm)

May 25
Chiswick Town Hall
Heathfield Terrace, W4 4JN
1pm - 5.30pm
(Presentations at: 1.30pm,
3pm, 4.30pm

Cllr Helen Binmore, cabinet member for children’s services said: " We need more residents to share their homes with children who need a safe and loving environment. All the carers I have met are warm-hearted, have a fantastic sense of humour and are truly inspirational. I know there are plenty more people out there like that just waiting to become great new foster carers.

“We look forward to seeing new faces at our open days – they could be the people who make a real difference to children in our borough, by helping them get the most out of life.”

For more information contact the fostering team by calling Freephone 0800 169 3497 or emailing fostering@lbhf.gov.uk. Residents can also fill in a form online by visiting the council’s website where they can also find more information on fostering.

May 6, 2011