Could you help change a life?
That’s what Bristol Live and Bristol City Council are asking the people of Bristol.
There are hundreds of children across the city in need of a safe loving home. Some of them have complex needs and most have experienced some kind of trauma.
But what they all have in common is the hope that they can find somewhere to call home and just be kids - even if it’s just for a short period of time.
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Which is why Bristol Live has teamed up with the council to launch the ‘Looking after Bristol’ appeal which aims to find Bristol’s next 70 foster carers.
Across the city there is a diverse range of young people in care and this means foster carers need to come from a variety of backgrounds and have different life experiences.
The children range in age from babies to teenagers, and some are sibling groups, but like all children, they need to be part of a family where they are nurtured and feel safe.
There are currently 291 foster carers in the city providing placements for 614 children and young people in Bristol.
Every child currently in care has a placement - whether that is in foster care, a residential placement, with other family members, or out of area.
But with 70 new foster carers it would mean that more children - where appropriate - would be able to stay here in the city. And also provide more flexibility when placing children into a care environment.
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Foster carers can be married or same sex couples or single but must be aged at least 21.
They are offered extensive support and training and receive an allowance to provide for the child in their care.
Helen Godwin, cabinet member for children’s services, said she hoped the eight-week campaign would achieve two things.
The first to recruit more foster carers - taking some of the pressure off the current ones.
And the second is to highlight how rewarding fostering is and celebrate the “VIPs of this city”.
“Becoming a foster carer is an amazing thing to do and we already have some incredible people working with the council to provide our young people with a home,” added Cllr Godwin.
“These people really are the best people in our city and we want to celebrate what they do - in sometimes quite challenging circumstances.
“Most of the time children in care have suffered some kind of trauma and one-third of our children in Bristol have complex needs.
“If you think you could help to care for one of these children then you would really be doing the most incredible thing and we would love to hear from you.”
Cllr Godwin also explained that with these additional foster carers it means the older, more experienced one, who may be looking to retire soon can instead act as peer support for new foster carers.
And for any businesses out there who would like to help there is a chance to get involved by becoming a Foster Friendly Employer.
You can either adopt a policy which offers foster carers flexible working and paid time off for training and settling a new child into their home.
Or similar to We The Curious and Jump Bristol, you can offer discounted prices for foster families so that it doesn’t become too expensive for them to go to the cinema, or bowling, or take their kids for a day out.
Bristol Live editor Mike Norton added: "Everyone needs a home. And the number of children in Bristol without one is a sobering thought.
"I'm sure there are Bristolians who have thought about fostering. Hopefully, our campaign will inspire them to help those children in need."
Bristol mayor Marvin Rees said: “We’re fortunate to have a large and dedicated group of foster carers who are providing vital love and support for some of the city’s most vulnerable children and young people.
“Whilst every child that comes into care is homed and supported we have made a commitment to increase the number of available foster carers to ensure we have a wide range of options for providing loving homes.
“We have been very successful in reducing the number of children coming into care by working closely with families, partner agencies and the courts however there will always be a need for people to step forward and open up their homes.
“The positive social impact foster carers have is immeasurable and the life changing impact they can have is incredible.
“I am grateful to all those who have and continue to provide homes for children in care and welcome anyone who comes forward to do the same.”
If you are interested in becoming a foster carer or just finding out more about the process by calling 0117 3534200 or on the council’s website.
