Blogs
The Fostering Network Northern Ireland offer children aged eight to 20 in foster or kinship foster care a programme of support and personal development called Fostering the Future. The Big Lottery-funded initiative includes arts and sports based projects, peer mentoring and residential weekends.
Caoimhe has taken part in Fostering the Future and shares her story below.
By Foster Care Fortnight on May 20th, 2016
Kathleen Toner, director of The Fostering Network in Northern Ireland, writes:
‘Maybe I’m not so broken after all …’ are the words of a young person talking about a breakthrough moment for him at the age of 16 living with his foster carer. Jack, (not his real name), had multiple moves with several relatives in informal arrangements before being placed with a non-relative carer. His comment reflects his take on what was ‘normal’ family life. One Saturday morning he was somewhat reluctantly tidying his room with his foster carer who was giving off about the ‘mess’ and he suddenly stopped, thought ‘ah, this is what normal feels like' and added ‘maybe I’m not so broken after all….’
By Foster Care Fortnight on May 20th, 2016
Phil and Barbara are one set of hub carers for the innovative Mockingbird Family Model programme. Here they tell the story of their involvement in the project so far.
By Foster Care Fortnight on May 19th, 2016
The Fostering Network has a number of programmes focused on raising the educational aspirations and outcomes of fostered children and young people. Lisa Belletty is programme manager for one of those programmes, London Fostering Achievement, and discusses the issue of access to university for children in care.
By Foster Care Fortnight on May 18th, 2016
Four team managers from Essex County Council are embarking on a trip into the unknown to raise money for The Fostering Network. Elise Lazell, Corrie Castleman, Elizabeth Markham and Tina Maryon will be discovering their inner Stig as they join in a banger rally, driving from England to Spain.
By Foster Care Fortnight on May 17th, 2016
This remarkable essay was written by Adam, a 19-year-old university student in Scotland.
By Foster Care Fortnight on May 17th, 2016
Sara Lurie, director of The Fostering Network in Scotland, writes:
Scotland has many things to be proud of but the fostering community must certainly be very high up on that list!
By Foster Care Fortnight on May 17th, 2016
Dr Patricia Mucavele is Head of Nutrition at the Children’s Food Trust - a charity which supports anyone who provides food for children by sharing skills and knowledge from nutrition professionals to give them the confidence to cook tasty, healthy meals from scratch.
By Foster Care Fortnight on May 16th, 2016
As The Fostering Network in Scotland launch Health Matters, a new programme exploring health issues affecting foster carers, their families and the children they care for, Sara Lurie, director of The Fostering Network in Scotland writes:
By Foster Care Fortnight on May 16th, 2016
Melissa Green (@tfn_melissa), our director of operations, shares her reflections on an important year for The Fostering Network in England
By Foster Care Fortnight on May 16th, 2016
