Find out about our foster carers news
Hundreds of people enjoyed taking part in Dartmouth Steam Railway’s annual Christmas Train of Lights. People from Torbay’s fostering team, special guardians, families with additional needs and our care experienced young people all had a great time. Thank you to Dartmouth Steam Railway and River Boat Company for hosting the event. Thanks also to Fostering South West and Mood Bears for supporting the event. If you are thinking of becoming a Foster Carer please call 01803 207845, email us, or visit our webpages.
A Christmas party was held for Torbay’s foster carers and children at Upton Vale church. This was for our Foster Carers to celebrate Christmas and to say thank you for all their hard work throughout the year. The event was well attended with more than 50 people taking part. As well as Christmas party music and food there was a raffle. The event was also attended by Torbay Council’s Fostering team, Director of Children’s Services Nancy Meehan, and Councillor Nick Bye, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services. This is just one of the great events we hold for Foster Carers throughout the year. From summer barbecues, to quarterly Fostering forums, to the annual Train of Lights event. If you are thinking of becoming a Foster Carer please call 01803 207845, email us, or visit our webpages.
In May 2024 we held our biggest and best ever Foster Care Fortnight with roadshows at Devon County Show at Westpoint, plus libraries and town centres in Brixham, Paignton, Torquay and Newton Abbot. Star of the show was Abi the Guide Dog.
The theme of Foster Care Fortnight this year was #FosteringMoments – celebrating the moments that define fostering journeys, big and small. The moments that build confidence, make young people feel safe and create memories.
Our Corporate Fostering Partners including Torquay United Football Club also reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Fostering in Torbay as part of Foster Care Fortnight.
May also marked the first anniversary of Torbay Council being accredited as a Fostering Friendly Employer for the first time by national charity The Fostering Network. We now want to work with other local organisations to help them to become Fostering Friendly. This means we can not only support those staff who are already foster carers but also encourage others who may be thinking about fostering but haven’t yet taken the step, or who are looking for an employer with a Fostering Friendly approach.
In addition to the Foster Care Fortnight information stands, our Fostering team continue to attend events throughout the year including Torbay Pride, Armed Forces Day and the English Riviera Airshow.
Other local businesses that are interested in becoming Fostering Friendly can also contact the Fostering service on 01803 207845.