Weston Focus

News for Weston-super-Mare Central Ward from local councillors Mike Bell and Robert Payne : serving you on North Somerset Council and Weston-super-Mare Town Council Learn more

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Wanted: foster carers who represent our community

by mikebell on 25 July, 2019

Foster carers can come from all walks of life and need to reflect our local community – that’s the message Fostering North Somerset are sharing ahead of this year’s Weston Pride.

The team will be joining the celebrations when Weston-super-Mare Pride takes place in Grove Park on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 July, to encourage people from the LGBT+ community to consider becoming foster carers.

Approximately 230 children in North Somerset are in foster care at any one time. But a shortage of foster carers in the area means that children and young people are sometimes placed outside of North Somerset.

Cllr Mike Bell said: “Our foster carers need to reflect our North Somerset community. There are still some myths around who can and can’t become a foster carer and unfortunately, while they aren’t true, they can put people off from making that important first step and finding out about fostering.

“The most important thing is that you can provide a child or young person with a loving, safe and stable home.

“By coming forward you could help us place vulnerable North Somerset children and young people locally, meaning they’re kept close to their friends, schools and other familiar sources of support. We’d love to hear from you and meet you at Pride!”

As well as the Pride celebrations, Fostering North Somerset will also be holding two information evenings in the coming weeks where people can find out more about becoming a foster carer:

  • Friday 30 August, 6.30pm to 8.30pm at Costa Coffee in the Crown Glass Shopping Centre, Nailsea
  • Thursday 5 September, 6.30pm to 8.30pm at Costa Coffee on Oxford Street, Weston

If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a foster carer you can visit www.n-somerset.gov.uk/fostering, email fostering@n-somerset.gov.uk or call 01275 888 999 to find out more.

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