EVERY 20 minutes another young person comes into care and needs to be placed with a foster family in the UK.

Across the country there is a shortage of foster carers and in Cornwall the situation is no different.

Cornwall Council currently needs more people to offer a loving home to the almost 500 young people in care across the county.

This Foster Care Fortnight (May 13-26) Cornwall Council’s Together for Families is launching a series of information events to find more people who want to make a difference and who can offer a loving home to those who need it most.

Foster carer for Cornwall Council, Debbie Spence, said: “The best bit about being a foster carer is watching children achieve the things that are important to them like riding a bike, learning to drive a car and then seeing the elation on their faces, the sparkle in their eyes when the mission is accomplished.

“It can be extremely challenging, especially finding the strength to support a child or young person through a challenging time. You live their distress with them. But you do have some great moments as well; I remember especially when a child made me a beautiful paper cup and saucer for mother’s day.”

Cornwall Council is aiming to recruit an additional 40 foster families by the end of the year.

Across Cornwall there is a diverse range of young people in care, the council said, and this means foster carers need to come from a variety of backgrounds and have different life experiences. The children range in age from newborn to teenagers, and some are sibling groups but like all children, they need to be part of a family where they are nurtured and feel safe.

Debbie added: “My advice is to attend an information session and ask questions even the ones that you think are stupid. Talk to other carers if you don't know any get pointed in the right direction at the information sessions.”

Despite the trauma experienced by children coming into care and their difficult start to life, good foster care can help to transform their lives and enable them to flourish. Fostering offers children a safe and caring home and plays a big part in supporting them to maintain links with their birth family.

There is a need for thousands more foster carers every year across the UK. Foster carers come from a variety of backgrounds and bring a wide range of life and work experiences with them. They work as part of a team of professionals and receive training to develop the skills required to meet the needs of children in their care. Alongside this professionalism, they offer children love, warmth and stability.

The council's cabinet member for children and wellbeing, Sally Hawken, said: “Becoming a foster carers isn’t always easy and we don’t pretend it is, but it does give you the power to change the life of a young person. We need more people to come forward and these information sessions are a brilliant way to discover more.

“We are keen to hear from people right across Cornwall, that’s why our roadshow will visit all corners of the County. I would urge people; if you have thought about becoming a foster carer; ask those questions that you still need answering.”

The information events for Foster Care Fortnight are happening in 10 different locations across Cornwall between 10am and 2pm:

13/05/19 Morrisons Liskeard – PL14 3PR

14/05/19 Asda Penryn – TR10 9LY

15/05/19 Morrisons Newquay – TR7 2GZ

16/05/19 Sainsbury’s Truro – TR1 3XL

17/05/19 Sainsbury’s Penzance – TR18 3AP

20/05/19 Tesco Camborne – TR14 8DT

21/05/19 Waitrose Saltash – PL12 6LD

22/05/19 Par Market – PL25 3RP

23/05/19 Tesco Launceston – PL15 9HD

24/05/19 Cornwall Services – PL26 8UF