Information events for potential foster carers across West Sussex

As part of Foster Care Fortnight, running from Monday June 1, West Sussex County Council’s Fostering Recruitment Team will be on hand at a number of locations to talk about fostering and answer any questions. Between 60 and 80 new foster carers are needed in West Sussex each year to add to the more than 300 the county council already has looking after 418 children in foster care as of mid-May. The team will be at the following locations between 10am and 3pm on the following days: • Monday June 1 – Chichester City Centre. • Wednesday June 3 – Town centre, Bognor Regis. • Friday June 5 – Montague Place, Worthing. • Monday June 8 – Orchards Shopping Centre, Haywards Heath. • Wednesday June 10 – Queens Square, Crawley. • Friday June 12 – Carfax, Horsham. One mum, who along with her husband has been a foster carer in West Sussex for around a year, said: “It has been one big family adventure – we’ve done it together, as family, which was important to us. “Our children have been part of this from the start and accepted our first fostered child – a young baby - into the family straight away. “If you have children, I think it’s important to be open and honest with them and listen to them too – we wouldn’t have done it without their support. “It’s been more rewarding than I ever thought it would be. The baby has now been adopted so to know we have done something that’s made a difference and to have played a part in her life is amazing. “We’re excited to meet a new child and get to know them too. There are so many different stories out there – waiting to be told – and we’re looking forward to becoming a part of that, even if it is one child at time.” Peter Evans, WSCC’s cabinet member for children - start of life, added: “Foster carers come from all walks of life and they have a variety of backgrounds but what they have in common is the ability to offer a stable and nurturing home. “They have patience, compassion and the desire to make a difference to a child or young person’s life. “We are looking for more people like this to come forward and become foster carers here in West Sussex, we particularly need people who could give a loving home to siblings or older children, and those with disabilities. “If you’ve ever considered fostering, why not pop along to one of these events and have a chat with one of the team?” For more information visit www.westsussex.gov.uk/fostering or call 0330 222 7775. Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live. Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on. 1 Make our website your homepage. 2 Like our Facebook page. 3 Follow us on Twitter. 4 Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here. And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out! Always the first with your local news. Be part of it.