New Oxford House gets glow-up as part of fostering campaign

A Council building in the heart of Grimsby town centre has received a ‘glow-up’ as part of a local campaign to recruit new foster carers.

The campaign, which has been championing the work of local foster carers, has been featured on the side of bin wagons, bus stops and social media.

More local foster carers are needed in North East Lincolnshire to care for children and young people.

The new window artwork depicts happy children of various ages, accompanied by the words ‘foster carers change lives’ and ‘you can be the difference, enquire today’.

Why foster?

Fostering is an amazing and rewarding journey that can change a child’s life and their future.

Our foster carers are people like you who provide a safe and nurturing home for a child when their family is not able to. 

Who can foster?

We work with an amazing, diverse community of foster carers. If you are over 21 years of age, have a spare room and the legal right to live and work in the UK, then you already meet our initial requirements.

We have carers who are single, couples, in a same-sex relationship, not home owners, are older or younger (over 21), are unemployed or in low income employment, do or don’t have other children in the home or have a health problem.

What support is available?

If you decide to start on your road to becoming a foster carer, the Council’s fostering team will be with you on every step of your journey.

The team offer training to new foster carers and experienced foster carers.

There is a network of local foster carers who meet up and support each other, and can answer any questions that you might have.

Foster carers are also provided with generous financial support.

Speaking about the need for new foster carers, portfolio holder for children and education at North East Lincolnshire Council, Councillor Margaret Cracknell, said:

“The need for local foster carers is very urgent.

“There are children and young people, of all ages, who are unable to live in their family home. It’s vital that we are able to provide them with a safe and loving home.

“Without local foster carers, children going into care have to be sent to live out of the area, away from their friends, their school and their community.

“We are looking for people to offer full-time or short stay foster care opportunities for our children.

“The new artwork, which can be seen on the ground floor windows of New Oxford House, showcases some of the joy of being a foster carer, and I hope it’ll prompt people to get in touch.

“Really, this is an appeal. There are so many fantastic, passionate and loving people in our borough. We need them to come forward and join our fostering community.”

If you are interested in becoming a foster carer and would like to find out more, call 01472 323966 or visit www.nelincs.gov.uk/fostering/