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Debbie Douglas, and her daughter, Lydia Rose Bright from the popular TV show – The Only Way is Essex (TOWIE), are newly appointed fostering ambassadors for the Department for Education (DfE). Debbie has been a foster carer for 22 years, and Lydia has grown up sharing her home with foster children. Debbie and Lydia are both keen to promote fostering as a career and are encouraging anyone thinking of fostering to call Fosterline. Fosterline England is funded by the DfE and delivered by FosterTalk to provide free confidential and impartial advice to current and prospective foster carers.
Debbie said, “The advice I would give anybody interested in fostering is just to pick up the phone and speak to Fosterline. Give Fosterline a call, ask questions and explore it, nothing ventured nothing gained so if you’re interested in fostering just go for it.”
Lydia added, “We were reading figures the other day that’s there’s a need for 9,000 carers in this year alone and I’m sure that number will keep on rising. We want to reach out to the UK and share our experiences of fostering and all the benefits it’s had on our lives. We want to inspire people who maybe looking for a career change to consider fostering and urge them to make that first step and phone Fosterline for advice.”
Debbie said, “Some people might think that they are unable to foster but if you check out Fosterline’s common myths page on their website you’ll see that most people can foster.”
“Yes, they’ve even got a quick quiz to see if you fit the initial criteria to foster,” added Lydia.
Debbie and Lydia have made their plea at the start of Foster Care Fortnight which is led by The Fostering Network. Foster Carer Fortnight is the UK’s biggest foster care recruitment campaign and is taking place from 16th – 29th May. Debbie and Lydia have spoken openly to Fosterline about their experiences in fostering. Film clips from this interesting interview will be released over the two week recruitment campaign on Fosterline’s Twitter page
Fosterline is pleased to support Foster Care Fortnight to raise the profile of fostering and recruit more foster carers. In the last year, Fosterline has already provided information to over 5,000 prospective foster carers and helped them to find local fostering service providers. Fosterline advisers are be available Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm on 0800 040 7675 to provide impartial advice and information to anyone who is interested in becoming a foster carer. The Fosterline website also offers a live chat (10am to 3pm Monday to Friday) and call back service.