Ever thought about fostering a child – but wondered what it’s really like?

This month, you can find out from those who know from first-hand experience – current foster carers with Hampshire County Council. During Foster Care Fortnight (12-25 May), the Local Authority is hosting a series of informal events where staff and carers will share their stories and answer your questions about Hampshire’s inclusive fostering community.

Hampshire County Council’s Fostering Service is a vibrant community of over 450 fostering households and 60 dedicated staff members. The service offers extensive support for families, including locally based Hive networks. These supportive and social ‘bubbles’ allow experienced and new foster families to regularly come together for family activities, one-to-one support and informal coffee meet-ups.

Currently, there are 23 27Hives across Hampshire, each led by a Hive Care Support Worker who is also a foster carer. Some of them will be taking part in the upcoming sessions, in Alton, Basingstoke and Gosport, as well as evening online sessions. The sessions are scheduled as follows:

• Virtual session: Tuesday 13 May, 7pm to 8pm
• Alton session: Assembly Rooms, Tuesday 20 May, 5pm to 6.30pm
• Gosport session: Discovery Centre, Wednesday 21 May, 3pm to 4.30pm
• Basingstoke session: Discovery Centre, Thursday 22 May, 3pm to 4.30pm

All sessions will give participants the opportunity to ask questions and meet a foster carer. Booking is available online at the above links or by visiting www.hants.gov.uk/fostering.

Ahead of Foster Care Fortnight, some Hampshire County Council foster carers have shared their experiences of the support they receive through their local Hives:

• Leanne is a member of the Havant and Hayling Hive, which she says is “always there to support one another through the ups and downs of fostering.” She adds: “We come together in support groups to share advice, experiences, and encouragement, ensuring no one feels alone on this journey. Our gatherings with the children at events create opportunities for them to build friendships while we strengthen our bonds as carers. Whether it’s a picnic in the park, a festive celebration, or simply sharing laughter at a support group, we always find a way to lift each other up.”
• Johnny says his local Hive is “a safe and supportive environment where individuals can connect, share experiences, and learn from each other.” He highlights the busy calendar of social and supportive events, where members can openly discuss their challenges, emotions, and experiences, as well as have a coffee and chat while the children burn energy and keep fit.
• Ali describes her local Hive as a “wonderful group of carers, with many different styles of fostering.” She says their regular get-togethers, coffee shop catch-ups, or taking the children to a group barbecue or coach trip, are great opportunities to share knowledge and experience. “These events create friendships and support that last, because the children share a unique connection that they often don’t see in other friends or in school.”

Hampshire County Council’s Executive Lead Member for Children’s Services, Councillor Roz Chadd, said: “Foster Care Fortnight is an important opportunity to raise awareness of the year-round need for loving homes for Hampshire children. Our foster carers are from all backgrounds, but they all change lives every day by bringing care, patience and stability to children and young people who haven’t had the best start in life.

“We are always looking for new foster carers to undertake different types of fostering arrangements to fit around their lives while meeting children’s individual needs – so why not make that step and come to a session?”

For more information about the Hampshire Hive system and fostering in Hampshire, please visit Hampshire County Council’s website.