‘Everything’ is the seventh film produced by a growing partnership of councils and children’s trusts to promote local authority fostering.
The City of Wolverhampton Council is one of 12 local authorities involved in the project since the first film, Giants, was released in 2017. The Everything project is the largest collaboration yet, with 100 local authorities coming together this year.
Alison Hinds, Director of Children’s Services, said: “The Everything project has given our fostering service an amazing film that shows the long-term impact it can have; and show people how rewarding and life changing fostering is.
“We need more people to step forward and become foster parents, and Everything will help us to reach more people in our communities and encourage them to find out more about this really rewarding role.
“We are committed to giving vulnerable children and young people we care for the best chance to thrive, which for the vast majority of them is with local fostering families.”
Everything – which can be seen at Fostering for Wolverhampton – follows foster carer Mike and his family on a journey through time with 2 of the children they have looked after, who are now adults.
The concluding message of the film is that what you do with your life could forever change someone else’s – encouraging people to foster in order to make that change.
The film was developed with the input and insight of foster parents and people with care experience, produced by Reel TwentyFive and project managed by public sector media partner CAN/Rachel Brown.
Project Director Rachel Brown said: “Many people don’t realise how common it is for relationships made through fostering to last well beyond the ‘official’ caring role. This has a huge impact on the lives of those who have been fostered, giving them stability and security well into adulthood.
“We also wanted to reflect how the children of foster carers make a difference to children when they come into care, helping them to feel part of the family.
“Fostering with your local council means you can better support local children and young people who need a safe and nurturing home where they can grow and thrive.”
Sarah Thomas, chief executive of the Fostering Network, said: "The Fostering Network has been proud to support the collaborative film projects since Giants in 2017.
“It's great to see local authority fostering services pooling resources to produce another amazing film. Everything will help to amplify their message about the chronic shortage of fostering households, encouraging more people to come forward and foster.”
For more information about Fostering for Wolverhampton, please email fostering@wolverhampton.gov.uk or visit Fostering for Wolverhampton.
