Released On 10th Jul 2015
Our Christmas wishes
Dozens of children and young people in foster homes with Somerset County Council’s foster carers have marked the festive season by sharing their Christmas wishes.
We are always looking for more foster families, most urgently for those aged 11 to 21, and this was the age group asked to contribute their festive wishes.
Whether it’s a ‘big room’ or a ‘puppy’; for ‘everyone to be happy’, or to ‘see my little sister and brother’, the wishes show that the aspirations of children in foster placements are no different from those living with their birth families.
A vital part of a Somerset Foster Carer’s role is working closely with a young person’s family members and other professionals. It, crucially, involves supporting children and teenagers to maintain regular contact with their family, and hopefully reach a point where the child is able to return home, if it is safe and appropriate for them to do so. That is never more important than over the festive period.
Here is the list of Christmas wishes shared by children and young people:
To have time to be happy and relaxed not worried about life
To be with people who care about me
To see my little brother and sister
I want to see my step sister
To spend more time with my dad
Xbox 360 game
Kitty
Pringles
Mini Cooper cars
People treating me as part of their family even though I’m not
Everyone to be happy
To see my Grandad
To see my best friends
A puppy
Big room
See my birth mum and two half-brothers
Toy gun
Big TV
Beast Wars
Spend time with my family
A Family People commitment to give u a good Christmas
To see my mum
To see my nan
To not be moved over the Christmas period
To have my own puppy
For more children to be happy this and next year
Horse
Motor Bike
A make-up hamper
To be around people who care about me and love me for who I am and not what I am
Cllr Frances Nicholson, Cabinet Member for Children and Families, said: “The children and young people’s Christmas wishes are very poignant. It just shows the extraordinary difference our hard-working foster carers can make to both children and families experiencing crisis. They are professionals who with an open heart, and understanding, can give hope and guidance to a child or teenager in difficulty.
“We need many more foster carers, particularly in and around Yeovil, Shepton Mallet, Frome, Bridgwater, Minehead and Taunton. Having more foster carers means we can give young people more options that will enable them to stay close to their schools, friends, and loved ones – where possible – which is vital for giving them the stability and grounding they deserve.
“Make 2016 matter. If you’ve been considering a change of career, or feel your life experience means you could help, please get in touch.”
Foster Carers can offer a safe, stable home to an older child or teenager who for various reasons is unable to live with their birth family. These young people need enthusiastic, resilient and supportive foster carers or foster families to be there for them when times are tough.
Find out how you could start your fostering journey in 2016. Phone our Fostering Team on 0800 587 9900, click here to enquire, or phone to book a slot for your confidential, one-to-one chat, being held on Monday 11 January 2016, 9am-4pm.
