York City Ladies partner with Fostering York to support the need to find more local Foster Carers in York.
“Women’s Football is more than just a game” states Paula Stainton, Chairperson for York City Ladies Football Club. “We are huge advocates of female football and developing players of all ages, but it’s hugely important for us to also use our standing in the community both with players as role models and with the club’s messaging to support other services and champion causes.
“It’s been great to partner with Fostering York to help raise awareness of the need for foster carers in York with various promotional opportunities during this latter part of our season”
City of York Council’s Fostering Service provides placements for children and young people in York aged aged between 0-18 years old, who are unable to live with their own families.
More foster carers are urgently needed in the city to provide York children and young people with safe, loving homes. Carers become part of a team supporting a child or young person, working alongside social workers and other professionals.
All children and young people coming in to foster care are different, and so are the carers who look after them. Fostering York look for the skills and experience which make people ready to foster from playing football in the park, building Lego models or gaming.
Cllr Bob Webb, the council’s Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education, explained: “Our foster carers are all ordinary people doing an extraordinary role. I’m glad that York City Ladies FC are joining our foster carers and childcare professionals and we’re urgently looking for local people to join us on the journey.
“Being able to provide safe, loving homes for children and young people who can’t live with their own families means that they can maintain their own friendship and family networks, if appropriate, in their own community, so having local foster carers is absolutely critical.
“I’d urge anyone who’s thinking about making a difference to get in touch. It really does change children’s lives.”
If you have the time and space to give a young person a loving home, visit www.york.gov.uk/fostering for more information or call 01904 555678.