In a ground-breaking national collaboration, Cumbria County Council has joined forces with 55 other Local Authorities across England to jointly fund the creation of a short film to raise awareness of fostering.

It is aimed at finding more people who may be interested in becoming foster carers and providing nurturing, positive homes for children and young people across the country who need them.

The new film, simply called ‘Childhood’, highlights the impact of neglect on children, particularly brothers and sisters who may be left at times to try and care for each other. It shows the journey of ‘Sophie’ and ‘Charlie’ who are in a very difficult home situation where their needs are not being met, to being nurtured and supported through foster care to attend school and be able to enjoy their hobbies and interests. In other words, have a childhood.

Cllr Anne Burns, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said:

“We are proud to have played a part in producing ‘Childhood’. Anyone who sees the film cannot help but be moved by Sophie and Charlie’s story, which mirrors the story of so many children and young people who come into our care.

“With the number of children coming into care increasing all the time, we are calling for families, couples, and individuals to contact us now for a no obligation chat about joining our local fostering family, where assessment, training and extensive ongoing support is available to all foster carers.

“If you have space in your heart and your home to make a difference to the lives of local children, then we’d love to hear from you. Attending one of our events around the county or an online event is a great way to find out more about how you can change a child’s life this year and your own!”

The new film launched with a premiere at the Everyman cinema, Birmingham earlier this month. Rachel Brown, who has been a foster carer recruiter for a number of years, led on the national project, said: “Sadly, there is an unmet need for foster carers in the country today and there is likely to be an increase in this need. The cost of living crisis and other struggles families across the UK are facing creates and escalates difficulties for many.

“The aim is that this film will be shared on social media and other platforms, right across the country, reaching many more people and leading them to consider whether the rewarding role of fostering could be an option for them.”

The film is being shared on the @cumbriafostering Facebook site and the fostering website at cumbria.gov.uk/fostering, as well as the council’s You Tube Channel. Please help the message spread across the UK using the hashtags #FosterForYourCouncil and #Childhood.

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

Find out more at an event in your area:

• Friday 11 November – Penrith Costa Coffee fostering drop in at Angel Square from 12pm to 2pm. No need to book just come along and speak to our team and foster carers
• Tuesday 15 November – Virtual fostering information event from 6.30pm to 7.30pm.
• Thursday 17 November – Workington fostering drop in from 10am to 2pm. Come and speak to our team and foster carers in the town centre (opposite the entrance to the Multi Storey Car Park).
• Friday 18 November – Carlisle fostering information stand at Carlisle Library, The Lanes Shopping Centre from 11am to 1pm.
• Thursday 24 November – Barrow fostering Information event at the Holiday Inn, Barrow from 6pm to 8pm, which includes a short presentation on fostering and the chance to meet our team and carers.

No need to book a place, just come along to an event near you and take that first step on your fostering adventure. Wherever you are on your fostering journey we’d love you to join us!

 For more information on fostering please call 0303 333 1216 or visit cumbria.gov.uk/fostering