The Fostering for Wolverhampton's new pop up shop opens for the first time on Thursday (23 August, 2018), with staff on hand to tell people everything they need to know about fostering.
Visitors can find out how they can make a difference to a local child, what the selection process involves, what practical and financial support they will get from the council, and ask any questions they may have.
They can also meet current foster carers and members of the Fostering for Wolverhampton team.
The shop, located on the ground floor of the Mander Centre next to Body Care, will be open for a variety of information events throughout August and September.
Councillor Paul Sweet, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: "We are very lucky to have so many dedicated foster carers who combine a desire to help children with a commitment to providing the best possible care, but we are always on the hunt for more.
"The new Fostering for Wolverhampton pop-up shop is a great way for us to meet more potential foster carers and introduce them to this truly life-changing experience.
"Please call in and find out more from our Fostering for Wolverhampton team and hear first-hand from some of our wonderful foster carers themselves."
The pop-up shop will be open from 10am until 3pm on Thursday. It will also be open on Friday 7 September, Thursday 13 September, Wednesday 26 September and Friday 28 September, from 10am to 3pm each day.
As well as the pop-up shop, people can find out more about becoming a foster carer at a number of other events over the next couple of months, including:
- Hickman Park Family Fun Day on Sunday 26 August from 11am to 7pm
- City Jobs Fair at Molineux Stadium on Friday 14 September from 9am to 1.30pm
- Queen Square, Wolverhampton, on Monday 24 September from 9.30am to 3pm
- Waitrose on Penn Road, Wolverhampton on Tuesday 25 September from 10am to 3pm
- Molineux Stadium on Tuesday 25 September from 6.30pm to 8pm
- New Cross Hospital on Thursday 27 September from 10am to 3pm
Foster carers can be sole carers, married or in a relationship - and they won't be on their own as help and support is available 24 hours a day. They will receive six months' "buddy support" from experienced foster carers who are there to befriend and guide them through the system.
Supervising social workers provide intensive support for the first six weeks of a placement and then every month thereafter, while foster carers can get help through a peer support network.
Placements can be anything from a few days to a number of years, and carers receive a regular, tax exempt fee and allowance to cover the cost of bringing up the child.
You can find out more by visiting Type=links;Linkid=8022;Title=Fostering for Wolverhampton;Target=_blank; or by calling 01902 551133. To find out more about the Fostering for Wolverhampton events, visit Type=links;Linkid=10232;Title=Fostering events;Target=_blank;.
- released: Tuesday 21 August, 2018