THURROCK Council is encouraging more people to consider fostering, as part of a national campaign to raise awareness of the vital role foster carers play in supporting children and young people.

Led by The Fostering Network, the theme for this year's Foster Care Fortnight (which began last week and runs until 24 May), 'This is Fostering', shines a light on the everyday realities of fostering and the powerful difference foster carers make through their care and commitment.

Within Thurrock, there are currently 68 foster carers who open their homes to provide love, stability and support to children who need it most.

However, despite the carers who already support looked-after children, Thurrock, like many areas, urgently needs more foster carers to ensure children and young people can remain close to their communities, schools, friends and support networks. Without enough local carers, children may be placed further away from everything familiar to them at a time when stability is most important.

Foster Care Fortnight is an opportunity not only to encourage more people to come forward, but also to recognise and celebrate the dedication of foster carers and the lasting impact they have on children's lives.

Bev's story: https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1573239077822876&set=a.772499857896806

Local foster carers, Natalie and Les, shared how fostering is often found in everyday experiences: "For us, fostering is all about creating a space where children feel safe, included, and able to just be kids. Seeing our foster children together with our own children, laughing, and playing, reminds us that fostering isn't just about providing a home—it's about offering stability, warmth, and a sense of belonging."

"It's in these everyday moments, where no one feels different and everyone is treated as family, that real connections are built and confidence begins to grow."

Fellow foster carer, Jenny also shared her experience: "Fostering isn't about the big moments people think of. It's the everyday. It's reminding someone for the tenth time where their shoes are… and then quietly noticing the day they find them on their own.

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"It's dinners that start in silence and slowly become conversation, and small routines that don't look like much but mean everything.

"It's not about fixing. It's about showing up."

Tim and his wife foster babies. They started fostering when Tim was 33 and their son was two, 34 years ago!

Tim was a market trader and his wife worked as a civil servant when they started. They both worked 3 different days a week which worked brilliantly for fostering babies. They have two different lives, a life when they do have a foster baby and a life when they don't and they enjoy both.

There is no single type of foster carer. People from all walks of life, whether single or in a relationship, working or retired, can make a meaningful difference to a child's life. What matters most is the ability to provide a safe, caring and stable home.

If you have ever thought about fostering, now is a great time to find out more and hear directly from those already making a difference.