The ‘Friends of Fosterline’ campaign, which launched today, encourages people to be part of Fosterline England’s growing fostering community and support network.
During the past year, Fosterline has provided advice, information and support to over 83,700 service users. Since FosterTalk took over delivery of the service in June 2013, it has engaged with over 200,000 contacts through its telephone, website, interactive live web chat, and email services.
The campaign has been backed by a number of celebrities including The only Way is Essex TV stars Lydia Bright and her mother Debbie Douglas who has been a foster carer for over two decades. Both Lydia and Debbie are Department for Education ambassadors for fostering and are delighted to give their support to Fosterline’s latest campaign.
The Friends of Fosterline campaign encourages people to make donations through a standing order and online shopping, and for the public to share their own stories of fostering. Further information about the campaign can be found at www.fosterline.info/friends or e-mail friends@fosterline.info
Fosterline launched its fundraising arm, Fosterline Foundation, three years ago, in order to diversify funding and help maintain the free-to-use service for prospective and current foster carers.
Steve Stockley, Fosterline Manager, said: “As a foster carer myself, I understand the need for timely confidential advice and support that empowers foster carers to perform their role to ensure the best possible outcomes for our looked after children. Fosterline has been independently evaluated as a vital service for both prospective and current foster carers and with the aid of our Friends of Fosterline, we aim to maintain this as a free to access service.”
The service created a stir on social media with its OneMoreHome campaign to inspire would-be foster carers, which it ran earlier this year.
Fosterline is available Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm (excluding Bank Holidays) on 0800 040 7675 www.fosterline.info.
Download the fundraising pack here.