Northumberland celebrates Foster Care Fortnight with family days for foster and kinship families
15 May 2025
From 12th to 25th May, the National Foster Care Fortnight campaign aims to inspire more people to open their homes and hearts to children and young people in need of love, stability, and care.
Led by The Fostering Network, the national charity, this year's theme focuses on the "Power of Relationships", because at the core of every fostering journey are the meaningful connections that make all the difference.
To kick off the national initiative, Northumberland County Council has organised a series of events as part of its enhanced support package for foster families. This programme is designed to ensure that children and young people feel safe, supported, and empowered to thrive in their foster homes.
Over 50 Kinship and Foster families from across Northumberland came together over Easter for a day out at Whitehouse Farm, aimed at building connections, strengthening support networks, and creating lasting memories for children and carers alike.
The Foster Care Fortnight celebrations will continue into the May half-term, providing our dedicated foster families with a special opportunity to reconnect and unwind. They’ll gather once again at Alnwick Castle to enjoy a range of spring holiday activities, creating memorable experiences and strengthening bonds within the fostering community.
“The aim of the events are for children and foster families to connect with others in our Northumberland foster family community,” said Vicky McLeod, Director for Children, Young People and Families.
“These days are so important, to build a supportive network and one where our children and their foster carers get the chance to make new friends as well as have a fun day. It was a real pleasure to get to meet some of our foster carers and to thank them for all the support that they provide and to meet some of our children who were have such an amazing time."
Foster carers Shirley and John Ramm, who attended with their young person, shared their thanks, adding: “The kids have had such a great day. And it's a great way for us to get to know other families - our big Northumberland Family support network!”
The events are part of a broader push to improve the experience of fostering in the region, with the Council continuing to invest in resources, training, and activities that empower foster families and enrich the lives of children and young people in care.
Interested in becoming a foster carer?
If you’ve ever thought about fostering, now is a great time to find out more. Northumberland County Council offers a comprehensive support package, dedicated training, and a welcoming community of carers. To learn more, visit www.fosterwithnortheast.org.uk to contact our friendly regional hub team for a chat or to start your journey.