A CHRISTMAS TV advert, which has hit the headlines for its promotion of Foster Carers, has seen a leading North East Lincolnshire councillor praise the work of our local care professionals.
And it comes as North East Lincolnshire Council’s Foster Care team are inviting people, interested in supporting local young people, to Laceby’s Morrisons Café on Friday 25 November from 1pm to 3pm to chat about fostering.
The famous John Lewis festive advert has chosen the subject for its 2022 ad, featuring a man who takes up skateboarding – just to make his foster child feel welcome as she loves the sport! It ends with the retail chain committing long term support to help young people from care. It is also donating a percentage of sales of products in the advert to children’s charities.
Nationally there is a shortage of Foster Carers, and this is mirrored locally with North East Lincolnshire Council needing long and short term carers and those who would like to foster children who have sought asylum in the UK and are alone.
Meanwhile Cllr Margaret Cracknell, Council Portfolio Holder for Children took this opportunity to praise the work of the Foster Carers already providing vital support to young people.
She said: “Children and young people need care outside their family unit for any number of reasons and it is very often the support and help they receive from their Foster Carers that helps them through what can be difficult and challenging times for them.
“It is the work that these carers do that is so important – they show our young people love, kindness and guide them when they need it the most. It can be extremely rewarding on both sides. Many adults in the borough may not realise just what they could offer a young person or indeed that they could foster – please take the first steps and ask,” added Cllr Cracknell.
Without local Foster Carers children are often moved out of the area, meaning they must change schools and are isolated from what is familiar to them. Keeping young people local is the ideal situation.
“If you are over 21, have a spare room and space in your heart for a child, then you have already met many of our requirements,” said Cllr Cracknell.
If you’re interested in fostering or want more information, visit Fostering in North East Lincolnshire – NELC | NELC (nelincs.gov.uk)
Share this article