They're After More Foster Carers — Stacy and Michael from Workington Are Telling Their Story Cumbria Fostering Asks More People to Come Forward as Foster Carers

Cumbria Fostering need more local carers — siblings, teenagers, long-term, the lot. Stacy and Michael from Workington are sharing how they got into it. Drop-ins start 13 October. Have a look at cumbriafostering.org.uk.

If you've ever sat there and thought, could we actually do that, this is you.

Cumbria Fostering have launched another recruitment campaign. They're after more local carers, and they're not dressing it up: kids of all ages, brothers and sisters who need to stay together, teenagers, and children who need a long-term home.

Stacy and Michael from Workington are sharing how they got into it. They started looking after family — kinship — and it grew from there. They've got a young boy with them long-term now, and they help other fostering families as well, as Mockingbird Hub Carers.

Stacy said: "If you can make a difference to one child, that's one child who can then go on to make a difference to other people."

"The little boy we've got now is just like our little boy. He's fitted into our family. He's like a missing part of our jigsaw."

Michael packed in work to do it full-time. He said: "It gives you a sense that you're giving back to the community. You're doing something that's useful to people and making a positive difference to a child's life."

Stacy said: "Watching children grow, gain confidence and overcome challenges is what makes fostering so special."

Michael added: "That's the reward. Seeing where a child starts and where they are now, and knowing you've had a positive impact on their life, is really special."

You don't have to fit a mould. Single, married, working, retired, own the house or rent it — there's a range of roles, and you get training and support.

Drop-ins: Penrith Library, Tuesday 13 October, 12pm to 1pm. Workington Library, Wednesday 14 October, 1pm to 2pm. The Lanes in Carlisle, Saturday 17 October, 1pm to 3pm. Online session Wednesday 21 October at 7pm. Information evening at the Holiday Inn, Barrow, Thursday 22 October from 7pm.

Have a look at cumbriafostering.org.uk if you want in on the online one or Barrow — you'll need to reserve a place.

Fun Fact: you don't have to own the house. Tenants can foster too.

Cumbria Fostering has launched a recruitment campaign for foster carers, including for siblings, teenagers and children who need a long-term home. Information events run from 13 to 22 October. Details are at cumbriafostering.org.uk.

This is for anyone in Cumbria who has ever wondered whether they could foster, and for people who already know a child who needs a stable home.

Cumbria Fostering has launched its latest recruitment campaign. It is asking more people across the county to consider fostering, and it is being clear about the gaps: carers for children of all ages, including brothers and sisters who need to stay together, teenagers, and children who need a long-term home.

Workington foster carers Stacy and Michael are sharing their own story as part of the campaign. They started by looking after family through kinship arrangements, and that grew into fostering. They now provide a long-term home for a young boy, and they also support other fostering families as Mockingbird Hub Carers.

Stacy said: "If you can make a difference to one child, that's one child who can then go on to make a difference to other people."

She added: "The little boy we've got now is just like our little boy. He's fitted into our family. He's like a missing part of our jigsaw."

Michael gave up work to become a full-time foster carer. He said: "It gives you a sense that you're giving back to the community. You're doing something that's useful to people and making a positive difference to a child's life."

Stacy said: "Watching children grow, gain confidence and overcome challenges is what makes fostering so special."

Michael added: "That's the reward. Seeing where a child starts and where they are now, and knowing you've had a positive impact on their life, is really special."

Cumbria Fostering says carers come from all walks of life — single or married, working or retired, homeowners or tenants — and there is a range of fostering roles. Carers receive ongoing support, training and guidance.

Upcoming information events:

Tuesday 13 October — drop-in at Penrith Library, 12pm to 1pm. Wednesday 14 October — drop-in at Workington Library, 1pm to 2pm. Saturday 17 October — information stand at The Lanes Shopping Centre, Carlisle, 1pm to 3pm. Wednesday 21 October — online information session, 7pm. Thursday 22 October — information evening at the Holiday Inn, Barrow, from 7pm.

To find out more, and to reserve a place at the online session or the Barrow evening, go to cumbriafostering.org.uk.

Fun Fact: you don't have to own the house. Tenants can foster too.