Adam Buxton shines a light on the need for more foster carers in new documentary
A new mini documentary launching today, Tuesday 6 January, follows writer, comedian and family man Adam Buxton as he visits two local authority foster families in Norfolk and Suffolk. Adam doesn't know anything about fostering or having children in care before he meets the foster carers. Over cups of tea, emptying the dishwasher, Top Trumps, a dog walk and a kick-about in the garden, Adam asks the kinds of questions people often have when first considering fostering.
The full documentary can be seen at www.fostereast.org.uk
Adam Buxton said, "I didn't really know very much about fostering before I spent time with Gary, Shannon and Catherine. We've got 3 children and a dog at home, and the thought of adding another child or more children into our family life blows my mind. What they do, for kids who haven't asked to be brought into care, amazes me. And Shannon's reflections as a young person who has helped her parents to foster were just incredible. I'm full of admiration and respect for them and their families."
Catherine, a Norfolk library book scheme co-ordinator, her husband Sean and their two children have been fostering for six years. They originally planned to foster on a short-term basis but have become long-term foster parents instead. Among Top Trumps and Minecraft sword repairs, Adam asks Catherine why they foster. She gestures around the lounge and replies that they're giving a child a chance.
Gary, a former logistics manager and now factory worker, his wife and two daughters have been fostering for their local authority for 12 years. They usually foster children in the short term and have also looked after a young girl with disabilities for a longer time. In response to Adam asking him why they foster, Gary gets emotional and replies tearfully that they do it to give children a childhood.
Cllr Penny Carpenter, Cabinet Member for Children's Services said: "Fostering is an essential role that we need more people to fulfil. In Norfolk, we urgently need to recruit an additional 50 foster carers. As Norfolk foster carer Sean says, 'if you're living family life anyway, could you add in another child?' I urge more families to talk about fostering and if fostering could fit into their everyday life."
Have you considered fostering? Research shows that children thrive best in family environments. More foster carers are needed to make family homes a reality for the five children a week who come into care in Norfolk. To find out more about fostering for Norfolk County Council, visit www.norfolk.gov.uk/fostering
