VISITORS to a popular Tameside event will be able to find out more about fostering, as a new initiative brings advice and conversations into the heart of the community.
From April through to October, foster carers and staff from Tameside Council will host a ‘Let’s Talk Fostering’ stall at each Stalybridge Street Fest, held on the second Friday of every month.
The drop-in sessions will take place inside Stalybridge Civic Hall, giving residents the chance to ask questions in an informal setting while enjoying the food and drink festival.
Organisers hope the relaxed environment will encourage more people to consider fostering – something they say is often misunderstood.
There are a range of options available, including short-term, long-term, emergency, specialist and respite care, with placements designed to fit around different lifestyles and circumstances.
The push comes as demand continues for more foster carers across the borough, with many local children still waiting for stable homes.
Support is provided for those who step forward, including training, financial allowances and ongoing guidance, with some flexibility built in through online learning.
“Stalybridge Street Fest is a fantastic and vibrant local event, and the perfect place to stop by our ‘Let’s Talk Fostering’ stall while enjoying some great food and drink,” said Councillor Teresa Smith, Executive Member for Children’s and Families.
“Our team is always happy to have an informal chat, however long or short you want it to be. There’s no pressure, it’s just an opportunity to find out more about fostering.
“Fostering can change a child’s life. So, by opening your heart and home you too could be the difference to local lives.”
Alongside the market stall, further drop-in sessions – both in person and online – are also planned throughout the year, offering additional opportunities for people to learn more before taking the next step.
As we reported recently, Stalybridge Street Fest is back for the fifth successive year, returning on Friday, April 10.