Kinship foster parents from across Wolverhampton came together last Wednesday (7 October) for a special Sip and Paint event celebrating the important role they play in the lives of children and young people.
Hosted by the Fostering for Wolverhampton team, the well attended event gave kinship foster parents the opportunity to take some time out, get creative and connect with other families who share similar experiences.
Guests were invited to decorate and personalise their own tote bags which they could take home at the end of the event. The relaxed arts and crafts activity provided an opportunity to unwind and enjoy some creative time while meeting and chatting with other kinship foster parents.
There was also plenty of time to enjoy cake and hot drinks, catch up with members of the fostering team and build connections with other families from across the city.
Kinship fostering is when a child who cannot live with their parents is cared for by someone they already know, such as a grandparent, aunt, uncle, older sibling or family friend, who becomes their foster parent. This can help children maintain important relationships and connections to their family and community. Kinship care can include several different arrangements, with family and friends foster care being one of them.
Councillor Jacqui Coogan, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, said: “Kinship foster parents do an incredible job, stepping forward to provide children with the love, stability and support they need, while helping them stay connected to the people and relationships that are important to them.
“It was fantastic to see such a great turnout and so many of our kinship foster parents enjoying the opportunity to get creative, spend some time together and meet others who understand their experiences.
“Events like this are a lovely way for us to say thank you and recognise the difference our kinship foster parents make to children and young people across Wolverhampton every day.”
The event also comes as Wolverhampton develops its Local Kinship Offer, which will set out the information, services and support available to kinship families and the children they care for.
Kinship families are currently being invited to help shape the offer by sharing their experiences, what is working well and where they would like to see further support.
The consultation is open until Friday 23 October, with feedback helping to identify priorities and ensure Wolverhampton’s Local Kinship Offer reflects the needs and experiences of local kinship families.
The national kinship local offer is intended to make it easier for kinship families to understand what support is available locally, who is eligible and how they can access that support.
Jazmine Walker, Head of Service, Children & Young People in Care said: “Our kinship foster parents give so much to the children and young people they care for, so it was wonderful to be able to bring everyone together in such a relaxed and welcoming setting.
“The Sip and Paint wasn’t just about decorating a tote bag. It was an opportunity to have a chat, meet other kinship foster parents, enjoy some well deserved time for themselves and strengthen the connections within our fostering community.
“We also want kinship families to have a voice in shaping the support available to them. Their experiences are incredibly valuable in helping us develop a Local Kinship Offer that responds to what families in Wolverhampton really need.”
For more information about fostering in Wolverhampton, please contact the Fostering for Wolverhampton team at fostering@wolverhampton.gov.uk, visit Fostering for Wolverhampton or follow@fosteringforwolves on social media.