Fostering
Tom’s race with new foster carers
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Walsall Council is proud to announce the release of ‘The Run’, the seventh fostering awareness film produced by award-winning producers ReelTwentyFive.
The film is available to watch here:
What started as a small local project in the Midlands is now a major, nationwide campaign involving over 90 local authority fostering services, project managed by CAN Digital.
‘The Run’ is set to be the most ambitious jointly funded fostering film project yet.
The film focuses on Tom, an 11-year-old boy, contrasting his need to run - away from danger, a chaotic home life, to get to school in time for breakfast club because he’s hungry - with running as a sport.
Despite the disadvantages Tom faces before being fostered – not even having PE kit for school – he’s good at running and the film peaks with Tom taking part in an athletics tournament, running in a stadium, with the support of his new foster family.
It’s Tom’s chance to shine. Can Tom win his race? On the track and in his life?
“ The message of this project is very simple, but so important – we need more foster carers, and we need people to foster for Walsall Council.
This sentiment applies across the country, which is why this project has grown into a national campaign with over 90 local authorities joining forces to share the same message.
Tom’s story is like many other children, and in the film it’s quite clear to see how foster carers dramatically improve his life, and get him back on the right track.
In Walsall, we have some incredible foster carers, and we need more to help give vulnerable children and young people we care for the best chance to thrive and be happy, so they can reach their full potential in life.
If you or anyone you know is interested, even if it’s just wanting to find out a little bit more information, please get in touch with our fantastic fostering service. “
Local authority fostering services are under pressure like never before as more children need a safe, stable home.
The film’s project director Rachel Brown explains.
“This whole project grew out of the constant struggle to recruit foster carers, when you have limited resources. By working as a group – which has grown from 12 to over 90 councils across the country – we’ve found a way to raise our voice and shout.
“I say shout quite deliberately - because this is a national emergency. Make no mistake, children’s futures depend on having homes to give them a supportive, nurturing upbringing.
‘The Run’ won’t change things on its own, but we hope that everyone who sees it, will at least pause for thought, hopefully stepping forward to help our most vulnerable children and young people.”
More information about Fostering in Walsall can be found on the council’s website: https://go.walsall.gov.uk/fostering
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Contact the fostering service at Walsall Council
Telephone: 0800 923 3706
Email: fosteringinwalsall@walsall.gov.uk
Website: https://go.walsall.gov.uk/fostering
Mockingbird
Walsall Council is the first local authority in the West Midlands to take part in the Fostering Network’s ‘Mockingbird’ fostering programme.
The Mockingbird programme is an innovative way of delivering foster care which centres on the idea of an extended network of family support.
Empowering families to support each other and overcome challenges, Mockingbird allows our carers to offer children and young people a more positive, consistent, and secure experience of care.
You can read more about the Mockingbird programme at
