Get your skates on to become a foster carer

That was the message from Rotherham Council’s fostering service as they aimed to boost their ranks of carers.

Inspired by the most recent John Lewis Christmas advert, foster carers enjoyed some skateboarding lessons with fostered children at the Bench Buddy Arena in Eastwood to kick off a new   recruitment campaign.

Speaking at the event, foster carer Rachel Scott likened learning to skateboard to her experience as a foster carer.

She said: “This [skateboarding] symbolises to me the resilience that you need as a foster carer.

“You don’t always get it right and you just get back on and have another go.

“The resilience and support like the Mockingbird Hub we have in Rotherham and your social worker are all the team around you to help give your looked after child and yourself the best experience.”

Rachel also talked about some of the obstacles she and her husband overcame to become foster parents.

“When we were looking to foster, we didn’t think we could because we were both working full-time,” she added.

“I work in the day and evenings and my husband works at night.

“We basically raise our children as single parents as I am there in the mornings and my husband is there in the evenings, and then we have the weekends as family time.”

Another foster carer, Phillip Taylor, spoke about how he was inspired to foster in order to “fill the void” after caring for his mother in law for 15 years who had Alzheimer’s and his son and grandson emigrated to South Korea.

Cllr Victoria Cusworth, cabinet member for children and young people in Rotherham, also attended the event.

She said: “In Rotherham right now, we have children who would benefit from being part of a fostering family.

“If you are interested in getting involved please take a look at the website.”

To find out more about becoming a foster carer, visit www.fosteringrotherham.com or call 01709 357370.