HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS
Home has never been more important and Wirral ’ s fostering service are looking for more foster carers to provide a safe and loving environment for children with the launch of the ‘ home is where the heart is ’ campaign .
In Wirral there are currently 821 children and young people all in need of carers to provide a safe , stable , and loving home . The council ’ s new campaign aims to reach potential and much needed foster carers by highlighting how a stable and loving home environment can make a vital and positive difference for a child or young person ’ s future .
Foster Carer Kelle Galloway who is supporting the campaign said : “ During this time of uncertainty , the one place where we have felt safe is home . Home to me means love and security , it is warmth and reassurance . Sadly , there are children with no security or feeling unloved and unwanted through no fault of their own . These children have the right to a stable and loving childhood and home , without people stepping forward to take on the role as a foster carer , they are not getting the chance of this .”
The campaign will also challenge common fostering misconceptions , provide details on what to expect from fostering and share the stories from Wirral ’ s very own current foster carers .
Foster carers Jamie and Kevin started their fostering journey during the first COVID lockdown in March . Speaking of their experience they said : “ We began fostering just after the first UK COVID lockdown started . As new foster carers , it was a pretty daunting time to start . However , being together with the children 24 / 7 , actually helped to build a relationship and rapport early on .
The time spent together helped us to get to know them and their needs quickly which enabled us to support them more readily . As a result , it has reinforced the importance of spending time together as a family .”
There are children and young people of all ages in need of a safe and loving home environment to support them . Fostering is a life changing experience but one that is truly rewarding . Wirral ’ s fostering service will provide all the training and support needed to carers who can provide a home for a child to flourish in .
Jamie and Kevin added : “ There is a very positive network of social workers and other foster carers , willing to help , advise or even just listen . We ’ ve been on some great training , covering lots of useful subjects , that have helped and continue to help us on our foster caring journey . Of course , there are challenges ( although some of these can be quite fun ), but there are loads of opportunities too . So , if you ’ re considering it , do it , and make a difference in a young person ’ s life .”
Kelle also shared this bit of advice : “ I ’ d say to anyone considering foster , ask questions . Speak to people who already do this day to day , get as much information as you can to make a decision that ’ s right for you and your family . Ask yourself what if it was me , what would I hope for as a child needing a home . If you ’ re considering this then you ’ re halfway there and it shows you have the heart to give a loving home .”
It ’ s a life changing experience but one that is truly rewarding . You will be provided with all the training and support , if you could provide the loving home .
So , whether it ’ s the very first time you ’ ve thought about it or the hundredth , there are lots of young people in Wirral looking for loving carers just like you . We need to recruit more foster carers than ever before .
If you or someone you know has room in their home and heart to foster , you can enquire for more information online : www . wirralfostering . org wirrallife . com 13