Foster carers are taking to the streets of Sheffield to join the national celebration of foster families and social workers as part of Foster Care Fortnight.
This year’s event is running from May 12-25 to raise awareness for fostering on a national level, attract potential foster carers and celebrate existing ones.
Rae Sloan, 27, a voice and influence worker and short break foster carer, said: “We are always looking for more people to join in, to change lives and make a huge difference in the world so get involved, come out to the events, ask questions, talk to people. I cannot recommend foster caring enough because it is so fulfilling.”
Ms Sloan said: “I went through the system and now I have an amazing extended family, so many amazing friends and opportunities I don’t think I would ever have received otherwise. It’s really important to me that every child gets a good chance in life.
Celebrations with the theme ‘the power of relationships’ began on Tuesday as foster families paraded through the city centre before joining the Lord Mayor, Jayne Dunn, and a brass band at the Peace Gardens to mark the importance of fostering in Sheffield and across the country.
Coun Dunn said: ”These events are so important to raise awareness. People are seeing these wonderful foster carers and start to ask questions. People don’t realise how important fostering can be.
“We just want to give those children and young people the chance to be supported through very challenging times. What could be better than giving our future a helping hand?”
Events will continue into the weekend with a sponsored walk tomorrow morning starting in Endcliffe Park at 10am raising money for the Brighter Future Fund.
The charity aims to provide care-experienced children and young people with access to activities and opportunities that they wouldn’t otherwise have.
The walk will consist of a 15-mile loop around Sheffield, with a shorter two mile option available.
Ms Sloan said: “It’s not all doom and gloom, you can go into foster care for so many reasons and whether you’re here for a short time or a long time we all look after each other.”
More information about fostering can be here .
