Since the start of the year, the choir has united through music and song, and last week they performed for the very first time.
Made up of Walsall Council’s foster carers and the staff who support them, the choir has become a vehicle for community and wellbeing, and a way for choir members to use music as an emotional outlet.
Sonia Percival is a member of the choir and said, “I was singing before I could talk, although some people might say I still haven’t quite mastered the ‘in tune’ part! The choir has brought me friendships, laughter, connection and a whole lot of love, plus the occasional wrong note confidently sung at full volume. There’s something magical about a room full of foster carers all trying to remember the words, find the right key, and somehow still sounding brilliant together.”
Their debut performance coincided with foster care fortnight, one of the UK’s largest campaigns to raise awareness of fostering. The choir performed at Walsall Council’s fostering service celebration event at Bescot Stadium on 13 May, for an audience of approximately 100 foster care families.
The event was held to celebrate foster carers incredible commitment and dedication to children and young people. Those who came were presented with certificates and gifts to mark significant milestones, ranging from foster carers with one year’s experience, to others with more than twenty-five.
“ Foster Care Fortnight always fills us with pride for our incredible fostering community, but this year feels particularly special with the very first performance by the Voices of Hope choir. We are immensely proud of them and hope they continue to sing loudly and proudly.
Foster carers are often the unsung heroes of communities, providing children and young people with the stability, care and hope they need to thrive and be happy. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to each and every foster carer for the difference they make every single day. “
Colleen Male, Executive Director for Children’s Services
Walsall Council
Thinking about fostering?
If you’ve ever considered fostering, Foster Care Fortnight is the perfect time to find out more. Walsall Council’s fostering team will be happy to talk through what fostering could look like for you, the training and support available, and how you could make a difference to a child’s life.
For more information about Foster Care Fortnight 2026 and how to become a foster carer, visit:
👉https://go.walsall.gov.uk/fostering
You can also contact the fostering service directly:
Telephone: 0800 923 3706
Email: fosteringinwalsall@walsall.gov.uk
Website: https://go.walsall.gov.uk/fostering
Social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FosteringInWalsall?locale=en_GB
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/walsall.fostering.service/