Join Leicestershire County Council on Facebook to find out more
People across the East Midlands are invited to attend a virtual information event and find out how they can help offer refugees a new start in life.
The event will take place at 10am on Wednesday, January 6 on the project’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/homeeastmidlandsOpens another website in new window ) and is for anyone considering helping by becoming a foster carer or supported lodgings provider. The video will remain available to view.
The event will include details of the rewarding nature of fostering, the application process and the training and support available, as well as the payments and allowances carers receive.
Regis (17) arrived in the East Midlands from Albania when he was fifteen years old and was placed with a foster carer. He features in the virtual event talking about the difference fostering has made to him and his desire to be part of a happy family, just like his foster carers, when he grows up.
Pat (65) is a foster carer for unaccompanied young refugees and currently has two young people staying with her. She said: “It’s opened up a whole different world to me. There are challenges but nothing is impossible to overcome, and we get by.
“Through getting involved in the local refugee forum with the first young person I fostered, I’m now a volunteer there with the youth group and have had fantastic times with all these young people from all over the world who come along and you just see them settle and blossom. It’s just great, it really is.”
Led by Leicestershire County Council, Place to Call Home is a partnership between councils across the East Midlands which works to recruit foster carers and supported lodgings providers for young people arriving in the region without their parents or a trusted adult.
Deborah Taylor, Leicestershire County Council cabinet member for children and families said;
"It’s incredibly important that we find kind-hearted individuals and families to support these young people; provide safety, security and a much-needed family environment to help them settle into a new life and improve their lives and futures
I would encourage anyone who feels they have the necessary skills or experience to foster to register an interest and attend the virtual event in January or get in touch with the team to find out more."
For more information about fostering young refugees, visit www.placetocallhome.org.uk