Cumbria Fostering is seeking to recruit more foster carers in 2024 with an aim to positively impact the lives of the 725 children currently in care throughout the county.

The organisation, working on behalf of Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council, places children into safe and nurturing environments.

Helen Cole and Dave Elliott, from Carlisle, have been long term foster carers for a 13-year-old boy.

Mr Elliott, formerly of Cumbria's Fire Service, said that the biggest reward was "seeing the fantastic young man he is today, compared to when he first walked through the door".

Ms Cole added: "He’s a totally different young man now. He’s just started Year 8 and he is in the top set for every class. It’s very rewarding and just lovely to see him grow into that kind of young man."

By fostering with Cumbria, carers not only join a community of 275 others but receive dedicated guidance and support from an assigned social worker and a carer mentor.

In addition, payments up to £332 per child each week are provided.

One long-term foster carer, Kath Lamb, also from Carlisle, emphasised the fostering journey's impact on their own children.

She said: "We’ve got a sibling group of three with us now, and we’ve got three children of our own who are now adults.

"They were teenagers when the children came to live with us and for them it was a pretty daunting experience. But I definitely think it moulded them into the adults they are now because they saw children from others backgrounds, other lifestyles."

People considering fostering are urged to attend one of the many upcoming information events throughout January, taking place in Kendal, Workington, Penrith, Carlisle, and Barrow.

Sarah Moore, a Shared Care foster carer from Workington who offers short breaks to a child with a disability once a month, said: “If you are interested in fostering, if it is in your heart to do it, then pick up the phone, send an email, find out more about it."

Register at cumbriafostering.org.uk or call 0300 013 2065.