Foster with North East

Day 10 of our #12DaysofChristmas 🎄 Today we feature Sheran and Lee from Middlesbrough. The couple became foster carers a year after seeing relatives who fostered. Now their teenage foster children enjoy Christmas Eve boxes, matching pyjamas, and the comfort of spending Christmas at home, with extended family joining in or visits to relatives. "We want them to feel enabled to do what they want to do. We want them to feel happy, like I do about my life."

Day 9 of our #12DaysofChristmas 🎄 Today we’re featuring Dave and Lisa, foster carers from Stockton-on-Tees Fostering and Supported Lodgings. "We love Christmas and always try to make it special, especially Christmas Eve when the kids open their Christmas Eve boxes and enjoy a movie with hot chocolate – nothing beats it." #FosterWithNorthEast

12 Days of Christmas – Day 8 🎄 As part of our 12 Days of Christmas, we’re sharing festive moments from foster carers across our Foster with North East partners. Today we’re featuring Beverley, a foster carer with Durham Council Fostering. “It’s our first time having a newborn over Christmas — being snuggled up watching festive films or singing Christmas songs makes baby’s eyes light up.”

12 Days of Christmas – Day 7 🎄 We’re sharing festive reflections from foster carers across our Foster with North East partners. Today we’re featuring Lynne, Darren and Helen, foster carers with Fostering with Darlington. “Christmas can be an emotional time for children in care. By offering reassurance and understanding, we can help them feel safe, loved and part of the family.”

12 Days of Christmas – Day 6 🎄 We’re sharing the voices of foster carers across our Foster with North East partners this Christmas. Today we’re featuring Parveen, a foster carer and Hub Home carer for the Mockingbird 2 Constellation with North Tyneside Council. “By offering a calm, understanding and reassuring home, we can help children feel safe and part of our family during the festive season.”

12 Days of Christmas: Foster with North East edition – Day 5 Over the 12 days of Christmas, we’re sharing real words from foster carers across our Foster with North East council partners to show what fostering means to them at this special time of year. Today we’re featuring the Hartlepool Borough Council Fostering Team and foster carers Spencer and Lorraine. Spencer and Lorraine said: "Fostering at Christmas time is lively and fun, often busy, sometimes unpredictable, but always memorable. It is a beautiful way to embrace the spirit of giving, not just through gifts, but by welcoming children into the heart of our traditions. Every little moment, from decorating the tree, to singing along to Christmas songs, or wearing our Christmas Eve pyjamas, helps our children feel part of something bigger. It's about showing them that they are a cherished part of the family celebrations."

12 Days of Christmas: Foster with North East edition – Day 4 We’re continuing to share one inspiring quote each day from foster carers across our Foster with North East council partners across the traditional 12 days of Christmas, giving you a glimpse into what fostering means to them at this special time of year. Today we’re featuring Together for Children, Sunderland and foster carer Lesley. Lesley said: "Christmas in our home is a whirlwind of love and laughter. It’s always busy, but we are always ready to make space for one more. We treasure every child who’s walked through our door, and our Tree of Memories tells their stories with ornaments from each child who has spent a Christmas with us. We embrace birth families, learn new traditions, and create our own, because every child deserves to feel they belong. We always remember and are prepared for when the excitement threatens to overwhelm — we pause, breathe, and remember: Christmas is not about perfection, it’s about love and being together while making special memories."

12 Days of Christmas – Day 3 🎄 Today we’re featuring Fostering Newcastle foster carers Trudy and Mandy. Trudy said: "For me fostering at Christmas is so special. Seeing the children's face light up and the excitement on their wee faces , it is a privilege for me to see the joy and happiness it brings them at the magical time at Christmas, it reminds me of the years I had with my own children whom are now all grown up. I don't think I do anything particularly special at Christmas but just share the joy with them and spend time as a family, for after all every child that comes into my home is our family and I treasure every one of them." Mandy said: "Fostering at Christmas makes our home feel extra special! We make Christmas special by getting involved with lots of parties and activities." #FosterWithNorthEast #12DaysOfChristmas #FosteringNewcastle

12 Days of Christmas – Day 2 🎄 Today we’re featuring Foster with South Tyneside Council foster carers Sonia and Dan. They said: "Fostering at Christmas to us means sharing a magical memorable experience with children in our care, seeing them smile when we take part in Christmas activities, seeing Santa and sharing the magic, hot chocolate and cosy nights in. This year we have children that have moved in with us long term. We have matching Christmas pjs, and lots planned to share together. We also got matching new year pj’s hoping that this helps them feel like family, ending one year and starting the next as one family unit”. #FosterWithNorthEast #12DaysOfChristmas

🎄⚽ Heading to the Middlesbrough FC Boxing Day match (vs Blackburn Rovers)? Find Foster with North East in the family zone! Say hello, grab some goodies, and learn how you can be someone’s rock, in their corner, and part of their team. #Fostering #MiddlesbroughFC #BoxingDay

12 Days of Christmas: Foster with North East edition 🎄 Each day we’re sharing a quote from foster carers across our council partners, offering a glimpse into what fostering means at this special time of year. Today’s quote comes from Carol and Paul, Mockingbird Hub Carers at Foster with Gateshead: "What’s important to us at Christmas is offering stability and a safe and loving home… and cookies! Young people who’ve left care come back to share celebrations with us." #FosterWithNorthEast #Fostering #12DaysOfChristmas

Fostering at Christmas can be full of magical moments but behind that is thought and preparation. Carers welcome nervous new faces, embrace different traditions and create calm when things get overwhelming. Here’s to those making the season feel safe and special. 🎄💛 #Fostering #Christmas #FosterCare

Being a foster carer at Christmas can bring extra pressures and emotions. Experienced carer Viv shares three simple tips to help make the festive season calmer and more supportive for children in care.

Our foster carer buddies are here to support you through your fostering journey. They foster with local councils across the North East, provide non-judgemental advice and share their experiences to help you understand the process. Learn more orlo.uk/rKcyk

One of the most unknown parts for those thinking about fostering is understanding how you'll work with your social worker. If this has been on your mind head over to our site to read our article: orlo.uk/HCHBZ

We love hearing how much people enjoy our Skills to Foster training, just like Lisa! Visit orlo.uk/kxOci to learn more!

We have lots of fantastic single foster carer households here in the North East 🏠 You do not need to be married or be part of a couple to foster, you can foster as a single person. When you foster as a single person, your support network will include a dedicated social worker, a community of foster carers on your doorstep and access to peer support, group activities and advice through the Mockingbird family scheme. You won't do it alone, you'll have a circle of support from people who know you well 🪐 Find out more about how you can become a foster carer, visit .fosterwithnortheast.org.uk

Many foster carers successfully raise their own children while fostering. Foster care can be tailored to fit various family dynamics, ensuring that both your children and foster children receive the care and attention they need. Visit orlo.uk/xEmdo

You can be there when it counts for a local child or young person. Be there when they need you — and when they think they don’t. Be there for the fun, the mess, and when they’re not sure what’s next. 🧡 You can be someone's rock when you foster with your local council We support your journey. Together, we support theirs. 👉 Learn more at .fosterwithnortheast.org.uk

Myth: You can’t work and foster. Fact: Many foster carers do both — find flexible options that fit your life: orlo.uk/zLLb3