PEOPLE are being urged to consider becoming foster carers to some of Hampshire’s most vulnerable children.

Hampshire County Council’s annual Foster Focus Week takes place from October 24 and is a regional celebration highlighting the unique and important role foster carers play.

This year’s campaign particularly seeks to break down perceived barriers to fostering, such as sexual orientation and relationship status.

Councillor Roz Chadd, deputy leader of Hampshire County Council, said: “We are always in need of more people to join our incredible fostering community.

“There may be people out there who are interested in fostering but, for whatever reason, have discounted themselves. The one message I would like people to hear this week is that anyone can become a foster carer - whatever their ethnicity, sexuality, relationship status or religious beliefs. There is no upper age limit and people don’t need to own their own home.

“Others might feel they don’t have the time or skills to foster. However, there are lots of different types of fostering arrangements that can work around people’s commitments, and all foster carers receive extensive training and ongoing support, as well as allowances for those they care for. Providing they are aged 21 and above, have a spare room and plenty of patience, resilience, open-mindedness and positivity, we want to hear from them.”

Throughout the week-long campaign, Fostering Hampshire Children – part of Children’s Services at Hampshire County Council - will be sharing information and stories from foster carers from all walks of life.  

One of those featured is Ben from Basingstoke, who has been a foster carer for over seven years, mainly looking after teenagers.

He works regularly with his local church – Gateway Basingstoke – alongside Home for Good, a Christian charity aiming to make fostering a significant part of the life and ministry of the UK church community.

He said: “We have had 17 children come to live with us. Some have stayed overnight and some for years. We have gained from every single one of them and I would like to think we have made a difference in all their lives. We continue to love what we do; every single child brings with them a new experience and new hope for what we can provide for them.”

People interested in fostering are encouraged to come along to one of the following events:

  • Sunday 23 October – Blue Light Day at Beaulieu 
  • Monday 24 October – Marwell 
  • Tuesday 25 October – Meet the Chamber Business Exhibition (Basingstoke)
  • Wednesday 26 October – Paultons Park
  • Thursday 27 October – Winchester Science Centre
  • Friday 28 October – Watercress Line

People can find out more from the Fostering Hampshire Children website, which provides a wealth of resources, information and details of information events.