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Fostering

Walsall celebrates Foster Care Fortnight 2026

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Walsall Council is proud to join the nationwide celebration of Foster Care Fortnight 2026, running from Monday 11 May to Sunday 24 May.

Voices of Hope choir

Foster Care Fortnight is delivered by leading fostering charity, The Fostering Network, and is one of the UK’s biggest campaigns to raise awareness of fostering, celebrate foster carers, and encourage more people to consider opening their homes to children and young people who need them.

The theme for 2026, “This is Fostering”, shines a light on the everyday realities of fostering, the care, commitment and resilience shown by foster carers, and the life‑changing difference they make for children and young people in Walsall.

The campaign also recognises the challenges foster carers can face, while celebrating the strength of the wider fostering community and the support networks that help carers and children thrive.

Throughout the fortnight, Walsall Council’s fostering service will be celebrating its foster carers and raising awareness of fostering across the borough. Activities will include a celebration event to say thank you to existing carers, as well as drop‑in sessions for anyone interested in finding out more about becoming a foster carer.

Find out more about fostering

Members of the public will be able to meet the fostering team, ask questions, and hear what fostering is really like at the following events:

  • Wednesday 14 May – 10am to 2pm
    Walsall Manor Hospital, Moat Rd, Walsall WS2 9PS  
    (first floor, top of escalators) 
  • Wednesday 20 May – 9am to 12noon
    Willenhall Jobs Fair, Willenhall Chart Community Centre
    19 Gomer Street, Willenhall WV13 2NS
  • Monday 26 May – 10am to 2pm
    Walsall Manor Hospital, Moat Rd, Walsall WS2 9PS  
    (first floor, top of escalators) 

For those who prefer to attend online, there will also be an information webinar:

Walsall Council continues to support foster carers through its Mockingbird family model, an innovative approach to fostering built around extended networks of support. Mockingbird brings carers together in ‘hub homes’, creating a community where families support, guide and learn from one another, helping children and young people experience greater stability and belonging. Walsall was the first local authority in the West Midlands to adopt the Mockingbird programme and remains committed to strengthening fostering support across the borough.

“ Foster Care Fortnight is an opportunity for us to shine a light on what fostering really looks like – the everyday moments, the challenges, but also the rewards and the incredible impact foster carers have on children’s lives.

This year we’ve got a fortnight jam-packed with celebrations for our existing fostering community and plenty of opportunities for those who are interested in fostering to get in touch with the team too.

We’re particularly looking forward to the first performance of our newly established fostering choir, named ‘Voices of Hope’, who will be opening the annual foster care fortnight celebrations.
“

Colleen Male, Executive Director for Children's Services
Walsall Council

Thinking about fostering?

If you’ve ever considered fostering, Foster Care Fortnight is the perfect time to find out more. Walsall Council’s fostering team will be happy to talk through what fostering could look like for you, the training and support available, and how you could make a difference to a child’s life.

For more information about Foster Care Fortnight 2026 and how to become a foster carer, visit:
👉 https://go.walsall.gov.uk/fostering

You can also contact the fostering service directly:

Ends

Voices of Hope choir

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