New film highlights the power of fostering

A powerful new fostering film is supporting Calderdale Council’s campaign to recruit more foster carers in the borough. ‘The Run’ is the seventh film to be produced by a growing partnership of councils and children’s trusts to promote local authority fostering. 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. It amplifies the important message that many children are without a safe and stable home to call their own, and how fostering can help a child to thrive. The film is available to watch at https://youtu.be/-EsIBuMvyIU?si=BU9jiPj6in9GaC4-(external link) and on the Council’s and Foster4Calderdale’s social media channels. There are children and young people in Calderdale, like Tom, who need a loving foster family. Calderdale Council needs more foster carers to care for young people of all ages, helping them to feel settled, supported and safe. Fostering with the Council comes with many benefits and support every step of the way, including generous financial allowances, extensive training and development, one-to-one help, local support groups and a close community of foster carers. There are also extra incentives, including a discounts package with local businesses, gym and swim membership, and the major benefit of not having to pay Council Tax for eligible Calderdale foster carers who live in the borough. To find out more about fostering with Calderdale Council, an online information event is taking place on Tuesday 11 November from 6 – 7.30pm. At the event, members of the Council’s fostering team and an experienced Calderdale foster carer, will share valuable insights and be on hand to answer any questions. To register for a free place, visit: Virtual Fostering Information Evening Tickets, Tue, Nov 11, 2025 at 6:00 PM | Eventbrite(external link). There’s also lots of information online, at www.calderdale.gov.uk/fostering(external link).  Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People’s Services, Cllr Adam Wilkinson, said: “Foster carers are amazing people. They do more than share their home with a young person, they support them to thrive and provide a place where they can feel safe, settled and happy.“We need more dedicated and caring people to consider fostering for the Council. We recognise that it’s such an important role, and there’s lots of support available as well as many additional benefits including a full council tax exemption for Calderdale foster carers who live in the borough.“We’re sharing the emotional new fostering partnership film ‘The Run’, to demonstrate the impact of foster care for young people. Small gestures can make such a difference, and we know there are many more Calderdale residents whose kindness could transform a foster child’s life.” Asfa and Sohail Farooq from Calderdale, have been fostering with Calderdale Council for over 10 years, with first-hand experience of how it makes a real difference to young people’s lives. Sohail, said: “We became interested in fostering after learning many children in care need a loving home and there is a shortage of foster carers, especially within the Asian community. “Back in 2013 our own children were full-time schooling which allowed Asfa a chance to pursue her own career. She was already looking for something home-based and had enjoyed working with children in a nursery before our marriage. Fostering ticked all the boxes for us, and we have never looked back. “We went with Calderdale Council after contacting several agencies as Calderdale were flexible with our housing arrangement at the time and we were planning a home extension anyway. This was a great choice as Calderdale have a good team supporting us and ensuring everything runs smoothly, allowing us to focus on providing a loving temporary home for children. “We highly recommend fostering if it can suit your lifestyle as it is rewarding in so many ways. It also gives us great satisfaction that we are making a positive difference in society.” To hear more from Calderdale foster carers, visit https://new.calderdale.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/children-and-family-care/fostering/hear-from-fostering-families(external link). The website also contains lots of information about the support available and benefits of fostering as well as detail about the process and commitment involved. You can also call 01422 266020, email fostering@calderdale.gov.uk or find out more on Facebook at https://en-gb.facebook.com/foster4calderdale/(external link) ENDS

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