The Minister heard from young people with lived experience of Foster Care, a birth child of Foster Carers, during a special event at Stormont, which was a great opportunity to celebrate Foster Carers across Northern Ireland and to encourage others to consider fostering.
Audiences were treated to a series of amazing performances from young people which included singing, a tin whistle and piano recital and an epic DJ set!
South Eastern Trust Director of Children’s Services Marie-Louise Sloan said: “The launch of Foster Care Fortnight provides an opportunity to celebrate and recognise the incredible contribution foster carers make to the lives of children and young people, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all our Foster Carers for their dedication, resilience and commitment and would encourage anyone who has considered fostering to find out more by contacting 0800 0720 137 or adoptionandfostercare.hscni.net to explore how they could make a lasting difference to a child’s future.”
Speaking at the launch, the Director of Children’s Services in Belfast, Kerrylee Weatherall, who represented HSC NI Foster Care, said: “This year’s theme, ‘This is Fostering’ invites us all to shine a light on the everyday experiences of fostering – to recognise the real, lived moments that define what fostering truly is. Because fostering is not just about big milestones or headlines. It is about the quiet, consistent acts of care, and being there every single day.
As we launch Foster Care Fortnight, let us use the days ahead to continue shining that light—to tell the stories that celebrate our foster carers, and to encourage others to step forward and be part of this vital community.”