FOSTER families from across Thurrock attended a special event at Grangewaters Outdoor Education Centre to celebrate the launch of a new support network for carers.

Over 72 foster parents and children enjoyed a memorable day of fun, taking part in free outdoor activities such as kayaking, climbing and abseiling.

The families were invited to the centre to mark the successful launch of the Mockingbird programme.

Mockingbird is a global award-winning and pioneering programme led by The Fostering Network in the UK. It looks to replicate the extended family model by building communities of six to ten foster families called constellations. Each constellation is led by a hub home carer and liaison worker, who help to offer peer support and guidance alongside social activities and sleepovers to strengthen relationships.

The programme hosts monthly activities and outings for the Mockingbird families to meet with one another. There are also separate support groups and coffee mornings for carers to get further advice, guidance, and training from the programme managers.

Members of Thurrock's library team joined in the celebrations with special storytimes and craft activities which included making their own hot air balloons and paper doll chains.

Cllr Vikki Hartstean, Cabinet Member for Children's Services, Education and Community Safety, went down to Grangewaters to join in the celebrations and said: "It is terrific that we have been able to welcome so many of our amazing foster carers to Grangewaters for this special celebration. Foster carers do so much to ensure some of our borough's most vulnerable children have a loving home they can grow up in, hopefully, events like this can help to show just how much we appreciate them.

"I am over the moon that we have officially launched our Mockingbird programme, it's a brilliant opportunity to bring families closer together and I look forward to hearing how those that are taking part benefit from the extended support.

"Thank you to all of those who have got involved to help provide activities,Foster families from across Thurrock attended a special event at Grangewaters Outdoor Education Centre to celebrate the launch of a new support network for carers.

Over 72 foster parents and children enjoyed a memorable day of fun, taking part in free outdoor activities such as kayaking, climbing and abseiling.

The families were invited to the centre to mark the successful launch of the Mockingbird programme.

Mockingbird is a global award-winning and pioneering programme led by The Fostering Network in the UK. It looks to replicate the extended family model by building communities of six to ten foster families called constellations. Each constellation is led by a hub home carer and liaison worker, who help to offer peer support and guidance alongside social activities and sleepovers to strengthen relationships.

The programme hosts monthly activities and outings for the Mockingbird families to meet with one another. There are also separate support groups and coffee mornings for carers to get further advice, guidance, and training from the programme managers.

Members of Thurrock's library team joined in the celebrations with special storytimes and craft activities which included making their own hot air balloons and paper doll chains.

Cllr Vikki Hartstean, Cabinet Member for Children's Services, Education and Community Safety, went down to Grangewaters to join in the celebrations and said: "It is terrific that we have been able to welcome so many of our amazing foster carers to Grangewaters for this special celebration. Foster carers do so much to ensure some of our borough's most vulnerable children have a loving home they can grow up in, hopefully, events like this can help to show just how much we appreciate them.

"I am over the moon that we have officially launched our Mockingbird programme, it's a brilliant opportunity to bring families closer together and I look forward to hearing how those that are taking part benefit from the extended support.

"Thank you to all of those who have got involved to help provide activities, it is a testament to Thurrock to see so many council and public services coming together for the celebration."