Change a future: foster with Rochdale Council

Foster carers Lauren and Danny Sullivan

Rochdale Council is supporting Foster Care Fortnight in a bid to recruit foster carers in the borough of Rochdale as there is a demand for carers who can offer a loving home to a variety of children who are in the council's care.

The annual Foster Care Fortnight campaign, run by the Fostering Network, runs from Monday 13 May to Sunday 26 May 2019 and this year’s theme is ‘change a future’.

To support the campaign during the two weeks, a range of fostering adverts will show that people from all sectors of society can be, and are, foster carers.

Local foster carer Lauren Sullivan, who has been fostering with Rochdale Council for 7 years, is encouraging more people to come forward as foster carers. She said: “We are so glad we fostered, it’s so wonderful being a huge part in a young person’s life and see them thrive and grow with you.

"Cared for children are no different to every other child, they have their ups and downs, it’s vital that people in the borough are there for them. I really hope we inspire people to contact the council’s fostering team today and start a wonderful journey.”

Gail Hopper, director of children’s services at Rochdale Council, said: “Our foster carers make an incredible difference to the lives of cared for children in Rochdale and we are so grateful to them.

"Foster Care Fortnight is an excellent opportunity to showcase the fantastic carers we have, the great support we offer, the difference foster carers can make and the real need for more people to come forward and help us care for our children.

“Foster care doesn't just transform the lives of our young it also changes the lives of foster carers, their families and all those who are involved in fostering, it’s a wonderful thing to do.

"If fostering is an opportunity that you feel that wouldn’t be available to you because of your personal circumstances, please contact us. You may be very surprised!”

Local foster carers and the fostering team will be attending events and holding drop in fostering sessions at the following locations:

• Thursday 16 May – Costa Coffee, Odeon Cinema, Sandbrook Retail Park, 5.30pm to 7.30pm
• Friday 17 May – The Lighthouse Project, Middleton Shopping Centre, 11am to 2pm
• Saturday 18 May – Hopwood Hall College Community Fun Day, Middleton campus, 11am to 3pm
• Monday 20 – Friday 24 - Montagues Café, Rochdale Market, daily 10.30am – 1.30pm
• Wednesday 22 May – Royal Toby Hotel, 4pm – 8pm
• Thursday 23 May - Costa Coffee, Odeon Cinema, Sandbrook Retail Park, 5.30pm to 7.30pm

If you’re interested in fostering you can come along to any of the event mentioned above or you can also contact our Fostering team on 0300 303 1000, email enquire@fosteringforrochdale.co.uk or visit:

• www.rochdale.gov.uk/fostering