Foster carers across the region use time in isolation to highlight desperate need for fostering

May 11th will mark the beginning of Foster Care Fortnight, two weeks dedicated to raising awareness surrounding the need for fostering. This year, Hertfordshire County Council is not only appealing for foster carers to come forward, but will also be celebrating the work of its current carers.

As the special fortnight approaches, foster carers across Hertfordshire have been using their time in lockdown to highlight the desperate need for fostering. They've taken to social media to show what a difference it's made to their lives, and to show how they've kept their foster children occupied during isolation.

Some have been building dens, creating artwork, baking, setting up an outdoor cinema, and more.

Foster carer Kathy, from Stevenage, and her foster daughter have even been making masks and scrub bags for the Lister Hospital and local care homes.

During these challenging times, children across the region still need the love and support of a foster carer. In Hertfordshire alone, there are over 950 children and young people in care.

A few foster carers have been publishing their own vlogs, to speak about what fostering means to them and to encourage other people to take the first step. One of those couples is Ed Gibson and Jools Newman from Hemel Hempstead, who've been fostering for seven years.

The theme for this year's Foster Care Fortnight is 'This is Fostering', and it'll be used by the council to highlight the many options available if you decided to be a foster carer. This can range from full-time fostering to offering short sleepover breaks.

Anyone wanting to become a foster carer in Hertfordshire must be over 21 years old and have at least one spare room at home. For more information, visit your local council website.