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Fostering services from 16 local councils and Trusts across the Midlands - including the City of Wolverhampton Council - have been working in collaboration to produce a new film, There Was A Boy.
The film was launched today (Monday 14 May) at the Everyman cinema in Birmingham. The premiere marks the beginning of The Fostering Network's Foster Care Fortnight, the UK's biggest foster care recruitment campaign which runs from 14 to 27 May.
The Fostering Network's chief executive Kevin Williams said: "There are thousands of fantastic foster carers from every walk of life who are proud to foster - but there is a need for more people who think they might have the skills and experience to foster to come forward.
"There is a particular need for people to foster teenagers, so anything that can be done to raise awareness of this is to be welcomed.
"It's a credit to each of the councils and Trusts involved in this film that they have come together to collaborate on such a high quality film that clearly conveys both the impact that foster carers can have and the urgent need for more foster families across the Midlands."
The City of Wolverhampton Council has been an active partner in the project and Councillor Val Gibson, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, added. 'This is a really powerful example of why we need more people to step forward as foster carers.
"As a foster carer, you really can change lives and There Was A Boy really captures the impact that good foster carers can have on the lives and the futures of our young people.
"I would urge everyone to watch the film, think about what it's saying and share it with your friends, family and colleagues. Let's really get the conversation going - what can you do to help?"
There Was A Boy is the second film produced through the West Midlands Regional Fostering Recruitment Forum, to promote foster care across the region and focuses on the need to help at risk teenagers, following last year's RTS nominated Giants.
The 3 minute film is both hard hitting and ultimately uplifting as it tells the story of Daniel and the 2 possible courses his life can take. Two alternative realities, one with the benefit of foster carers and one without. One life with possibilities, one without.
First, we see the outcome of Daniel being given a chance thanks to his foster carers and taking that opportunity. Then we see a troubled teenager who lacks, guidance and without that focus or motivation drifts into making the bad decisions that will ultimately have a massive impact on Daniel's future.
By working in partnership an extremely high quality film, has been made at a very low cost to each participant, which will be used by each of the partners to promote fostering in their local area.
The film is available to view online (from 12pm on Monday 14 May). For more information, and to watch the film, please visit Type=links;Linkid=8022;Title=Fostering for Wolverhampton;Target=_blank;.
- released: Monday 14 May, 2018