Hampshire County Council is seeking more foster carers to provide loving homes for vulnerable children.
The council's latest campaign, inspired by the experiences of foster carer Hannah, aims to attract more people to take on this responsibility.
Hannah's reflections on fostering have been transformed into a short film, highlighting the importance of the everyday moments that can profoundly impact both the carers and the children.
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Cllr Roz Chadd, the county council’s cabinet lead for children's services, said: "Hannah’s words remind us of a simple but powerful message: that the everyday moments of family life, which are so often taken for granted, can make a huge difference to a vulnerable child - for whom such moments may previously have been a rarity.
"We always need new foster carers as people either eventually retire from fostering or their personal circumstances change."
The council is calling on people from all backgrounds to consider fostering, including those from the LGBTQ+ community, different faiths, single carers and people from ethnic minority backgrounds.
There is no requirement for carers to own their homes or have previous childcare experience.
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Comprehensive training, support and competitive allowances are provided.
Cllr Chadd added: "If this sounds like you, please get in touch with our fostering service to find out more.
"That conversation could be the first step in changing a child’s life."
Foster carer Hannah, whose words form the basis of the campaign, said: "It has been amazing to see my message come to life through the campaign, and to see my words take on an added meaning.
"Often people say to me, 'I couldn’t do what you do', but the reality is that it’s so important for people to consider fostering if it’s something that they could do.
"It is vital that we keep finding new carers in our Hampshire communities, to provide therapeutic and nurturing homes for children and young people."
The council's fostering service welcomes carers for both short-term and long-term fostering, emergency and out-of-hours care, respite and home-from-home care, and parent and child fostering.
Carers can foster children and young people of all ages, from babies to teenagers, as well as sibling groups and children with additional needs and disabilities.
The council's fostering service website provides more information about fostering, upcoming events, training, support, and how to contact the service.
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