Children of foster carers play a vital role in helping children or young people in care feel welcome and part of their foster family. We are celebrating their contribution in Reading during Sons and Daughters Month this October.

Brighter Futures for Children’s Independent Fostering Agency (IFA) will be highlighting the positive impact foster carers’ own children have on young people who come into their home during The Fostering Network’s annual campaign.

BFfC’s IFA has a fantastic group called the Foster Squad in Reading, where foster carers’ own children can get together, have fun and share their experiences of being foster siblings.

This month, the Foster Squad will be thanking all children of BFfC foster carers in Reading with a trip to the cinema and lunch at a pizza restaurant. They will also be presented with certificates and ‘thank you’ vouchers.

Di Smith, Board Chair of Brighter Futures for Children, said: “The contribution made by foster carers’ children is vitally important but not always widely recognised. Sons and Daughters Month gives us a chance to put that right.

“These young people welcome children into their family homes and help to make them feel happier, safer and more loved.

“I would like to thank all the sons and daughters of foster carers in Reading for their tremendous contribution to fostering.”

Kate and Winston are foster carers in Reading who foster alongside their two daughters, Cassie, 16, and Ellie, 20.

Kate and Winston said: “Fostering has taught our birth children so much. They are incredibly kind and accepting young people who have embraced all the children we have cared for, whatever their background or ability.

“I know they will keep those wonderful attributes with them throughout their lives. The difference they have made and continue to make to the lives of others makes us very proud.”

In Reading, there is a shortage of foster carers, which means children and young people are often fostered outside the borough. This is highly disruptive for them and takes them away from their school, friends and other support networks that are important to them, particularly at such a difficult time in their lives.

Brighter Futures for Children, which has the only not-for-profit Independent Fostering Agency in Reading, is looking for people aged over 21, with a spare room and a big heart to become foster carers within a 20-mile radius of Reading itself.

Whether you have children still living at home, your youngest child has grown up and moved out of home or even if you have not had your own children, BFfC’s IFA is interested in hearing from you.

You can join the next online fostering information session on Tuesday 19 October, 5.30-6.30pm by emailing foster@brighterfuturesforchildren.org. Call the friendly fostering team on 0118 469 3020 to learn more, or visit the website: www.readingfostering.co.uk for inspiring stories.

There is no obligation, and tuning into an information session, listening to a foster carer tell their own story and experiences and being able to ask questions informally is a great way to find out more about fostering and whether it’s right for you.

NOTES TO EDITOR

Foster carer Kate and daughter Cassie are available for interview. Please email: David.millward1@brighterfuturesforchildren.org or call 0118 937 4081 if you would like to arrange an interview.

Find out more about Sons and Daughters Month on The Fostering Network’s website at: https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/get-involved/championing-fostering/sons-and-daughters-month