Five Rivers Fostering

As the nights draw in and the craziness of the festive season is now upon us, Five Rivers Fostering would like to raise awareness of Christmas as a foster carer and how to make a foster child feel welcome.
They spoke to foster carers to ask about experiences of Christmas...
"One of my friends fostered a young lad and asked him if they could write a Christmas list together ready for Christmas. He asked them what they meant. They explained that at Christmas time, children write down what they might like to get for Christmas. He told them, 'Last year, Mum forgot it was Christmas, so I got a pound and a Pot Noodle'."
Viv, Foster Carer.

Now that lad can enjoy Christmas by being part of a foster family and totally spoilt by lovely food and lovely presents.

Could you think about starting your fostering journey this Christmas?
Well first let's bust some myths you might have heard about fostering…
Just like their foster children, the foster carers at Five Rivers are individuals who come from all different backgrounds and are all different types of people.

• You don’t have to be married, you can be in a civil partnership or you can be single
• You can be a foster carer and have a job, including being a farmer!
• You don’t have to own your own home
• You don’t have to be a parent
• You don’t have to do it full time
• And of course ... you get paid for fostering!

 
We are being asked to look after some very special, vulnerable young people and you need to be rewarded financially for doing this amazing job. You will be part of a professional team and be treated as such with financial reward and excellent training.
Some experience of children is necessary but this could be through work or through family or friends.
Most of all, foster carers need to have room in their heart and room in their home to bring a child or children into their lives and offer them love and stability.
If you're ready to explore how fostering can work for you and your family, Five Rivers are here to help.

Have an informal chat with their friendly team, call 0333 0603 962 or visit www.five-rivers.org/fostering to see the amazing work they do.