Fostering in Hertfordshire takes to the air and goes on the buses

Twelve-year-old Tasha, and her foster mother Pearl, have been interviewed on local radio to talk about how fostering has transformed their lives.

Their interview on Chiltern FM formed part of a wide-ranging campaign by Hertfordshire County Council's Family Placement Service to raise the profile of fostering as well as recruiting more foster carers.

Tasha, who loves animals, talked about how she was given her own rabbit when she moved into her new long-term foster home. She says she feels settled and happy, her schoolwork has improved and she is looking forward to the future.

Pearl told Chiltern FM's Tricia Bullen that she loved being with children and her life has been enriched since Tasha joined the family.

"She said she'd never thought about fostering before but was finding it very rewarding," said Tricia.

Hertfordshire's commitment to the valuable work of foster carers in looking after children and young people is paying dividends.

As a direct result of publicity in the local media during Fostering Fortnight more people have contacted the Family Placement Service - especially in the Bishops Stortford and Sawbridgeworth area - asking for details about foster carers.

And to really bring the message home, posters are currently appearing on buses all over the county, appealing for foster carers for teenagers.

The month-long campaign started on August 26 and the illustrated posters carry the message: 'Hertfordshire needs foster carers for teenagers' and the Family Placement Service's freephone number.

Lynn Costello from the Family Placement Service, said: "We approved 52 new carers last year and all the indications are that we will do even better this year.

"But we still need carers for teenagers who are separated from their families and need a supportive home at a difficult stage in their lives.

"People thinking of fostering teenagers must have a genuine interest in helping young people - we have some very good examples of youth advisory people and teachers who are fostering and they are doing brilliantly."

To find out more about fostering in Hertfordshire, call 0800 917 0925, or go to www.hertsdirect.org/fostering on the council's website HertsDirect.