Learn more about fostering for Calderdale at an online information event on June 3 & Foster Care Fortnight May
Strong relationships are at the heart of every fostering journey – and when you foster for Calderdale you become part of a supportive fostering community which is with you every step of the way.
‘The Power of Relationships’ is the theme for 2025’s Foster Care Fortnight (May 12 – 25), an annual campaign run by The Fostering Network to raise awareness of fostering. Here in Calderdale Wainhouse Tower at King Cross was lit up in blue to mark the start of the campaign and to celebrate Calderdale’s amazing foster carers.
Coun Adam Wilkinson, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People’s Services, said: “The relationships that fostering creates is a testament to the love, support and care shown by our foster carers.
“Whether it’s the bond between a foster carer and a child, the support of social workers, the friendships built within fostering communities, or the connections with birth families, these relationships shape lives, create stability, and open up new possibilities for the future. When you foster in Calderdale, you are not alone.”
Ever thought about fostering?
Calderdale foster carer, Adelle shared her journey to becoming a foster carer with her husband, Ben, and the invaluable support provided by other foster carers in Calderdale - powerful connections created through attending local support groups.
Adelle said: “The other foster carers in Calderdale have been a huge support for me and my husband. Having fellow foster carers available to meet up on a regular basis, or even on the end of a phone, or a whatsapp message, is really, really valuable…we’re all there for one another, to support each other.
I would encourage anybody of any age or background, if you’re interested in fostering…make that initial enquiry, ring Calderdale’s fostering team. They will give you the information required, and we have some great events for potential foster carers.
She added: “I’d describe it as a rollercoaster and you do need a really good peer support network, but we just absolutely love just seeing the joy and seeing children flourish – getting them to their full potential.”
You will have chance to speak to Adelle more at the next online fostering information evening, which will take place on Tuesday June 3, 6pm – 7.30pm via Microsoft Teams.
She will be on hand to share her experience and you will be able to get your queries answered by Calderdale’s friendly fostering team. Register here for your free place.
A foster-friendly place
To mark Foster Care Fortnight, Calderdale Council invited its fostering families to take part in a poetry competition to win some special prizes. Foster carers and children have been sharing their own experiences of the powerful relationships created through fostering.
In this heart-warming poem written and read by Lacey, she shares her experience of life with her foster family.
Fostering with the council comes with many benefits and support packages, including generous financial allowances, extensive training and development, one-to-one help, local support groups and access to a close community of foster carers.
There are also extra incentives, including a discounts package with local businesses, free gym and swim membership for all the family in the fostering household, and the major benefit of not having to pay Council Tax, for Calderdale foster carers who live in the borough.
“We value the hard work, passion and dedication of our foster carers and wanted to say a special thank you this Foster Care Fortnight. We will be delivering sweet treats to our foster carers over the fortnight as a token of our appreciation,” said Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People’s Services, Coun Adam Wilkinson. “Their contribution to improving the lives of children and young people in Calderdale does not go unnoticed.”
Calderdale Council is a Fostering Friendly employer, a status awarded by The Fostering Network last year.
“This demonstrates our commitment to supporting children and foster carers in the borough and means we support our staff members to carry out fostering responsibilities alongside their work,” said Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People’s Services, Coun Adam Wilkinson.