Cumbria Fostering is set to launch its latest recruitment campaign across the county tomorrow (26 September) with the release of a powerful new film created in collaboration with more than 80 other local authority fostering services.

The film, Any of Us, highlights the fact that people from all walks of life and backgrounds have the potential to foster. The national launch of ‘Any Of Us’ will be held at the Everyman cinema in Birmingham at noon and it will premiere across Cumbria at the same time, 12pm, on our council You Tube Channels.

‘Any Of Us’ looks at three very different people who all show some of the attributes needed to be a foster carer in incidents from their daily lives – Ayesha going to the aid of a pedestrian after a minor road accident, Neil calming down an aggressive situation in a snooker club, and Marsha identifying a young person showing signs of distress and intervening with them at school. Different individuals in very different scenarios, but each in their own way showing the caring instinct that is fundamental to being a foster carer.

The film develops so that it becomes clear that one of these three everyday people will become the foster carer to Chloe.  But which one of the three will be the one to make the difference?  The main character’s stories are all interwoven with Chloe’s, as we see her journey into fostering.

Despite already supporting a community of 275 foster carers across the county, with more than 725 children in care, Cumbria Fostering, which works on behalf of Cumberland Council and Westmorland & Furness Council, urgently needs more local people to come forward as foster carers to prevent vulnerable children being placed with families away from their local area or separated from siblings.

Cllr Emma Williamson, Executive member for Children and Family Wellbeing at Cumberland Council, said:

“First and foremost, this project is about giving our fostering service a high-quality film that highlights the fact that anyone who cares has the potential to become a foster carer.
“All councils have their own area where we want to recruit foster carers from, so it makes great business sense to collaborate to produce a film that communicates a universal message:  We all need more people to step forward and become foster carers.”

Cllr Sue Sanderson, Cabinet member Children’s Services Education and Skills at Westmorland & Furness Council, added:

“When it comes to fostering, that message is the same, from London to the Lake District – in every town, city and county – consider if you can offer a home to our most vulnerable children and young people. We really care about the work that we do. It’s all about giving children a chance to thrive and become the best person they can be.”

In order to foster for us you must be over 21, have at least one spare room and the time and commitment to support and nurture a child. In return we offer an excellent package of training support and allowances for each child you foster.

Sarah Thomas, Chief Executive of the Fostering Network said:

“It’s fantastic to see the fostering services work together to amplify their message to recruit much-needed foster carers. There’s currently a shortage of 6,000 fostering households in England, so films like this have a vital role to play in encouraging more people to become foster carers.”

As part of a countywide campaign to celebrate the launch of the new film Cumbria Fostering is running a series of information events across the county, offering people the chance to speak to their friendly team and foster carers about fostering.

Find out more at an upcoming event in your area:

• Thursday 28 September – Virtual fostering information event from 7pm to 8pm. To book a place please email fosteringevents@cumbriafostering.org.uk
• Sunday 1 October – Fostering information stand at the Great Cumbria Run at   Sheepmount Athletics Stadium from 9am onwards
• Tuesday 3 October – Fostering information drop in at Barrow Costa, Hindpool Retail Park (next to Subway) from 12pm to 1pm
• Friday 6 October – Fostering information drop in at Workington Costa, Steelman’s Walk from 12pm to 1pm
• Thursday 12 October – Fostering information event at the Sandgate Room, Penrith Methodist Church, Wordsworth Street, Penrith, from 6.30pm to 8.30pm
• Friday 20 October – Fostering information stand in the Central Square at The Lanes Shopping Centre in Carlisle, from 12pm to 2pm
• Saturday 21 October – Fostering information stand at Barrow AFC fan zone at the Holker Street Stadium in Barrow from 3pm
• Saturday 28 October – Fostering information stand at the Winter Droving in Penrith town centre from 11am onwards.

Wherever you are on your fostering journey we’d love you to join us! For more information on fostering please call 0300 013 2065 or visit cumbriafostering.org.uk.