What better way to spend a sunny morning than in a stunning Reading park, learning the steps and ‘moves’ to take on the ‘Jerusalema dance challenge’.

That’s what staff and foster carers from Brighter Futures for Children did recently, joined by children and young people in care, who were on hand as unofficial teachers!

Fostering teams across the UK have been challenging each other to perform the dance routine, which went viral last year, to raise awareness of fostering and the fantastic opportunities it brings to those who decide to foster.

The song behind the dance means “go with me, protect me and take me home”, which resonates with the role of foster carers, who welcome a child or young person into their home until they can either go back to their family, stay in settled foster care or are adopted.

After being challenged by Foster4 Cheshire West, Chester and Halton and Warrington, Brighter Futures for Children’s fostering team danced away with the stunning backdrop of Caversham Court Gardens. They have now passed the baton and challenged Havering Council’s fostering team to do the same.

You can watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmgguRRT0WY

Di Smith, Board Chair of Brighter Futures for Children, said: “The Jerusalema dance challenge is a fabulous, fun way to spread the word about fostering.

“Well done to everyone who took part in the Reading challenge which demonstrates the wonderful spirit of our foster carers. I hope the video is enjoyed by many people and helps raise awareness of our need for more local foster carers.”

Could you rise to the challenge and become a foster carer in Reading? We’d love to hear from you and, no, you don’t need to be able to dance!

To learn more about fostering, visit www.readingfostering.co.uk, call 0118 469 3020 or email foster@brighterfuturesforchildren.org.