It’s a goal! Northamptonshire Children’s Trust joins UK wide campaign to recruit more foster carers during the World Cup

Northamptonshire Children's Trust (NCT) is joining up with local authorities from across the UK to form a new virtual team for the World Cup with the aim of achieving just one goal – to recruit more foster carers.

The campaign brings together a united fostering community of 27 local authorities from across the UK who have joined Local Councils United – a new virtual team – to share clips for each day of the World Cup and unique reasons why people should foster with their local authority.

Colin Foster, Chief Executive of NCT said: "This is a really great opportunity to put a spotlight on fostering and the huge difference it makes to the lives of children and young people to support them to achieve their goals. It is awesome to see two of my passions, fostering and football being brought together to unite people and communities for a common purpose. If you have a big heart and a spare room, get in touch today!"

Each day of the football tournament a local authority shares a video with the "Help a young person achieve their goal" message. Football teams, carers, young people, and families will all be featured in the clips during the World Cup campaign with the hashtag #FosterWithYourCouncil2022

Councillor Fiona Baker, Cabinet Member for children, young people and families for West Northamptonshire Council, said: "We are really proud to join forces with other local authorities across the country to raise the importance of fostering. This is a really creative campaign using the FIFA World Cup to highlight our need for more people to come forward and become foster carers. If you're considering fostering, I would encourage you to get in contact with the team."

Councillor Scott Edwards, Cabinet Member for children, young people and families for North Northamptonshire Council, said: "This is a fantastic way to raise awareness of fostering and the need for more foster carers. The team will support you every step of the way through your fostering journey. By working together, we can make a real difference to a child or young person's life."

Kicking off the campaign on 21st November will be Northumberland County Council with Medway Council providing the final video on Day 27.

Northamptonshire will be featured on Day 19 of the World Cup Campaign. The short film was shot at Northampton Town Football Club and will include some of our foster carers, children, young people and staff passing the ball to each other. The film ends with a child fulfilling his dream of scoring a goal with his team behind him. The audio is a poem read by children and staff explaining the difference fostering makes and why we would encourage to make an enquiry to become foster carers with us.

Foster carer, Nick said: "When the opportunity arose to promote fostering it didn't really need any considering as we are so passionate about fostering and the positive impact that it makes on young people's lives that it was a clear and obvious yes!

Fostering doesn't get the attention that it really deserves, so to be involved in a high-profile campaign like this can only be a positive thing. To be included, along with our foster children in an innovative and creative way is a great way to highlight fostering as a positive and truly rewarding experience, with the children at the heart of everything that we do. As a fostering family, we were all buzzing after taking part!"

Northamptonshire Children's Trust Facebook page will share each of the council's campaigns every day so please follow @NorthamptonshireFostering