AS the festive period gets underway, Thurrock Council has joined other authorities across the region in asking people to think about opening their lives up to fostering.

For many people, Christmas is a time when friends and family come together to indulge in the festivities, but for thousands of children across England who cannot safely live at home, it can be a challenging time.

Across the East of England, there are 7,000 children in care.

Foster carers, Bev and Steve were inspired to start fostering on Christmas Eve, after a chance encounter with a child that needed a home.

Bev was working at the police station when a two-year-old boy was brought in with his mother who had been arrested. As an experienced mother of five, Bev looked after the little boy at the police station until the early hours of the morning. There were no foster carers available, and the toddler had to be taken to a children's home.

As Bev's five children opened their presents on Christmas Day, she couldn't stop thinking about how different this little boy's Christmas was going to be and how much better it would have been for him to go to a foster family. She and her husband decided to find out about fostering with their local council.

Bev and Steve's foster journey has been shared on the Foster East YouTube channel.

Bev said: "Every Christmas we look back and think about how many children we've fostered since we realised what a difference our family could make.

"The best thing about being a foster carer is seeing a child's confidence and happiness increase. That moment when a child looks back at you for reassurance - whether it's riding a bike for the first time or tying their shoelaces - it's so moving and rewarding.

Cllr Vikki Hartstean, Thurrock Council's portfolio holder for children's services and education said: "Christmas is a magical time for most children, but not everyone is as lucky. In Thurrock, we're lucky to have some amazing foster families that help us to support as many of these children as possible, but unfortunately, as we have seen across the UK, there is still a desperate need for more foster carers.

"Children come into care for all sorts of reasons. Their parents may be taken ill, involved in an accident, might be arrested, or might not safely be able to care for their children. Children might only need care for a few weeks, but when there is no one else available to look after them, foster families are essential."

Foster carers come from all walks of life. Foster carers can have their own children living at home, have pets, own or rent their homes, work full-time or part-time, or foster full-time. As long as you are over 21, there is no upper age limit. Foster carers can be single or couples and have children.

Fostering through Thurrock Council helps local Children's Services to keep children rooted in their community, and close to their friends and family.

If you're interested in finding out more about becoming a foster carer, read more about what is involved on the Thurrock Council Fostering webpage or call 0800 652 1256

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