People are being encouraged to let fostering make their house a home in a new campaign.

Fostering for Wolverhampton is hoping more households will take on this life changing role in 2017 - and are encouraging people who are interested in fostering to attend a drop in session to find out more.

They will be taking place at the following locations:

  • Queen Square, Wolverhampton, Monday 23 January, 10am to 3pm
     
  • WV Active Bilston-Bert Williams, Nettlefolds Way, Tuesday 24 January, 10am to 4pm
     
  • Bentley Bridge Retail Park, Wednesfield, Wednesday 25 January, 10am to 4pm
     
  • Molineux Stadium, Wednesday 25 January, 6.30pm to 8pm
     
  • Central Library, Wolverhampton, Thursday 26 January, 10am to 4pm
     
  • Waitrose, Penn Road, Friday 27 January, 10am to 3.30pm

Anyone who cannot attend one of the drop in sessions is invited to find out more about Fostering at Type=links;Linkid=8022;Title=Fostering for Wolverhampton;Target=_blank; or by calling 01902 551133 or searching "Fostering for Wolves" on Facebook.

Carl Bradburn, who has been a foster carer for 18 months, said: "Fostering for Wolverhampton helps make my house a home - it enriches our lives and the young people bring us so much joy. I have 5 children of my own, plus a foster child and it keeps the house young."

Emma Goodwin, who has been a foster carer for 8 years, added: "My children love having a foster child in the house - they see the little boy as their brother and have grown up over the years together. If anyone wants to foster I'd say go for it - it is a rewarding and fantastic job to do."

Councillor Val Gibson, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: "We have a fabulous group of more than 200 foster carers in Wolverhampton, but we're always keen to hear from other people who want to offer a loving home to children.

"Foster carers can be single, married or in a relationship and help and support is available 24 hours a day. Placements can be anything from a few days to a number of years, and they receive a regular, tax exempt allowance to cover the cost of bringing up the child.

"Our foster carers receive 6 months' support from experienced carers who will guide them through the system, and we also provide intensive support for the first six weeks of a placement and every month thereafter.

"Our Fostering for Wolverhampton team will be at various locations in and around the city to meet people who want to find out more, and I would encourage anyone who is thinking of taking on this life changing role to please get in touch with us."

  • released: Thursday 12 January, 2016