Foster Carers at Child Action Northwest are learning British Sign Language – with an aim to sign a message on social media to support national campaign Foster Care Fortnight 10 – 23 May #WhyWeCare.
Child Action Northwest, a local charity supporting over 10,000 children and young people every year, are proud to be supporting the Foster Care Fortnight campaign 2021.
Campaign host The Fostering Network found that the number of children in care in England rose from 65,520 in 2011 to more than 80,000 at the end of March 2020. Meaning every year thousands of new foster families are needed in England.
The theme for 2021 is #WhyWeCare. The Fostering Network is encouraging everyone who cares about the lives of children in care to tell the world about #WhyWeCare. Foster Carers at Child Action Northwest are intending to do this in a unique way!
Sue Cotton, CEO of CANW commenting on the Foster Carer recruitment drive
said, “#WhyWeCare is close to the heart of everyone at Child Action. With more than
80,000 children in care across it is more important than ever that they are able to find
a foster family who cares and can support them in being happy and being children.
During the last 15 months, as we have all been largely been confined indoors, foster
carers and the foster care team at CANW have worked even more closely together
to ensure children and young people remain supported, connected and safe. Via
Whatsapp groups, weekly informal catch ups, and lots of fun online sessions, the team organised a multitude of workshops for young people, ranging from: cooking, mindfulness, lego building etc. Seeing the positive impact these sessions have had on the younger generation spurred the foster carers to get in on the act too: making jewellery, or just having a cup of tea and a chat.
It emerged, during sessions, that foster carer Steph Bosson was trained in British Sign Language (BSL). Inspired at a young age, she learnt sign language after an encounter with Deaf ignorance at a Bingo Hall, where a Deaf gentleman failed to successfully communicate with a cashier and was therefore left ignored in the queue.
She is now using this skill to support a young person in foster care with sensory issues, and she is sharing her knowledge with other foster carers via zoom sign language sessions! A great example of how our diverse group of foster carers bring and share skills and experience and support each other to change the lives of the children we support.”
Steph Bosson, CANW Foster Carer added, “I can hand on my heart say this is the
best decision I’ve ever made in becoming a Foster Carer with Child Action
Northwest. Support from CANW has been truly, truly amazing. I may be new to the
game but I intend to stick with CANW for many many years to come; it’s a lovely
family.”
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