Major drive to find foster carers for more than 400 Bucks children

Could you make a wish come true for a child waiting for a foster home?
Cllr Lin HazellCllr Lin Hazell
Cllr Lin Hazell

If so, Buckinghamshire County Council is urging you to get involved or get in touch during Fostering Fortnight which takes place between 16 and 29 May.

The theme in Bucks this year is ‘Wishes’.

To tie in with this, the Council will have a number of Wishing Trees in libraries and town centres, and people will be asked to write their own wish on a tag and to place it on a tree.

Lin Hazell, County Council Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “With over 400 children in care in Buckinghamshire, we are passionate about giving them the best love, support and care possible.

“We also want them to be able to stay near family and remain in their school but this isn’t always possible as we simply don’t have enough foster carers in Bucks.”

She added: “The wish of any child in care is to have a loving foster home within their community and it would be great if we could make that come true in May for some of them.”

The trees will be located in Aylesbury, Buckingham, Chesham, and High Wycombe libraries.

Cllr Hazell explained: “People can relate their wish to anything they like but by placing it on a tree you will be helping us raise awareness of our collective wish to find a home for all the children and young people in our care.”

The trees have been donated by Hartwell Nurseries.

One of the highlights of the fortnight in Bucks will come at Buckingham Library on Wednesday 25 May at 10:30am.

Author Ann Meek, who is also a foster carer in Bucks, has been invited to read her award winning book “I’m special, I’m me!” at the library. The event is open to the public to attend.

Meanwhile, people are being urged to find out more at various fostering information sessions - all from 7pm to 9pm:

They are as follows:

11 May - Aylesbury Opportunities Centre, Thame Road South, Aylesbury HP21 8TS. This session is for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender community who may be considering fostering.

9 June - Buckingham Opportunities Centre, Well Street, Buckingham MK18 1EN.

16 June - The Hub, Easton Street, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. HP11 1NJ

22 June - Aylesbury Opportunities Centre, Thame Road South, Aylesbury HP21 8TS

For more information on fostering and to book a place on a session, contact 0800 160 1900 or visit www.buckscc.gov.uk/fostering.