Fostering Solutions Launches fresh Shot At Recruitment

15-05-2012

People are being urged to become foster carers in a new campaign fronted by Paralympic shot-putter Sophie Hancock.

Called ‘Give it a Shot’, the campaign aims to encourage people to give fostering a try and see how they can provide their homes, time and commitment to the 8,750 children in the UK who are currently in need of foster care.

Sophie, who works for leading agency Fostering Solutions alongside her Paralympic shot-putt career, is currently ranked number one in Europe and fifth in the world in her event category. She is giving her support to the campaign and will be appearing on promotional posters in towns and cities througout the UK.

Sophie said: “I’ve been working with foster carers for over nine years now and the main piece of advice they give to those who haven’t fostered before is to just give it a shot. So we’re spreading that message across UK towns and hoping that more people will open up their homes to local children who need foster care.
“You don’t need qualifications to foster a child, just a spare room and a desire to help young people.”

Maxine Maywand, who provides foster care to children in Huddersfield through Fostering Solutions, agrees that more people should give it a try. “I started fostering six years ago and found the experience really rewarding. I’ve now fostered three children and have no plans to stop now.

“It’s great that Sophie is lending her support to the recruitment drive. She’s overcome a lot of challenges to succeed, much like the young people who go through foster care, so I hope she will inspire more people to give their time and home to someone who really needs it.”