An annual event to raise awareness about fostering and how to become a foster carer, this year’s event will no doubt be just as successful, if not more so, especially if you get involved!
Whether you are a foster care, thinking about becoming one, have lived or live with a foster or just want to lend your support, this is how you can do it.
Join in the Thunderclap
Foster Care Fortnight runs from the 14th to 27th May and this year, The Fostering Network, the charity who organizes the event, want to start with a bang.
A thunderclap is a mass explosion of coordinated tweets and post on across social media. It’s simple to join in the Foster Care Fortnight Thunderclap – just register for the one-off tweet or Facebook post.
Share stories
Fostering is personal and powerful for the fostered child, the family, and the foster carer. And this is why the organizers are asking that you support the event via social media in numerous ways;
If you tweet about fostering, use the hashtag #FCF18
If you are a foster carer, use the caption and following the hashtag, “I’m … and I’m #ProudToFoster”
e.g. I’m in Sidmouth and I’m #ProudtoFoster Or I’m a baker and I’m #ProudToFoster
If you want to show your support for foster carers, you can use the same caption and this hashtag, I’m … and I’m #ProudToSupportFostering
e.g. I’m Katy and I’m #ProudToSupportFostering Or I’m a teacher and I’m #ProudToSupportFostering
Remember, you don’t have to tweet or post just once, you can do it as many times as you like during the fortnight.
Use the Foster Care Fortnight placards for a photo opportunity
You can print off two different placards, each with the caption and hashtag as above. Fill it in, take a photo of the placard and you, if you want, in an appropriate location and upload the photo to Twitter, Facebook. Or why not share it via your Instagram account?
What your support means to foster carers. No one foster alone but sometimes, when times are tough, it can feel like that. An outpouring of support from across the nation will be just what they need!
Make a short film
The charity behind the event also wants to make a video montage of the event. They are asking that people record a short piece of film, using the caption and hashtag to show their support for foster carers and the children and young people they look after.
Make your film and send it to media@fostering.net
Make a donation
You can donate to the charity too which helps them to offer the support that foster carers, families and vulnerable children need.
Consider becoming a foster carer
For foster care to be successful, fostering agencies need foster carers and families of all ages, gender, sexuality, religion, relationship status and culture. They also need people across the country, from the tip of Scotland to the south England coast.
Why don’t you consider becoming a foster carer?
Fostering People, a fostering agency rates ‘Outstanding by Ofsted, are recruiting foster carers from across the country and support the Foster Care Fortnight initiative in many ways.
