The powerful impact that fostering can have on carers and the young people who they are helping with a new start in life will be highlighted in a new national campaign involving ourselves.
Fostering North Yorkshire currently has 323 active fostering households looking after children in care. However, more children are coming into care and there is a national shortage of carers across the UK.
The film, which is called “Run” and is involving more than 90 councils which have helped fund the project, shares the message that how a safe, loving and nurturing family environment can help children and young people in care flourish.
The film focuses on Tom, an 11-year-old boy, contrasting his need to run - away from danger, a chaotic home life, and to get to school in time for breakfast club because he is hungry - with running as a sport.
Despite the disadvantages which Tom faces before being fostered, such as not even having a PE kit for school, he is good at running. The film climaxes with Tom taking part in an athletics tournament, running in a stadium, with the support of his new foster family.
Executive member for children and families, Cllr Janet Sanderson, said: “‘The Run’ is a deeply moving film that reflects on some of the real challenges many children face, along with the hope that foster care can bring.
“In North Yorkshire, we see first-hand how fostering changes lives. We’re proud to support this national campaign and encourage more people to consider fostering with us.”
She added: “This sentiment applies across the country, which is why this project has grown into a national campaign. ‘The Run’ is a brilliant, emotional film none of us could have produced on our own, which is why this partnership is so important.
“We have an engaging, high-quality film – which is great for all of us – but the message is loud and clear; there’s an urgent need for more foster carers to step forward across the country.”
That message is at the core of the film project. Local authority fostering services are under pressure like never before as more children need a safe, stable home. This is combined with increased competition from independent fostering agencies to recruit foster carers.
The film’s project director, Rachel Brown, said: “This whole project grew out of the constant struggle to recruit foster carers, when you have limited resources. By working as a group – which has grown from 12 to over 90 councils across the country – we’ve found a way to raise our voice and shout.
“I say shout quite deliberately - because this is a national emergency. Make no mistake, children’s futures depend on having homes to give them a supportive, nurturing upbringing.