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Kinship care celebrated in Liverpool
ACTIVITIES are taking place in
Liverpool next week to promote awareness of 'kinship carers;' who take on
children that would otherwise end up in foster care. Kinship care is where a
child is placed with a family member or a close friend of the family, rather
than being fostered by the local authority. It has huge advantages as it ensures
continuity of care for the young person because they remain with someone they
know.
As part of National Kinship Awareness Week, that runs from 9 October to 13 October
2017, a series of events
have been organised by Kinship Carers Liverpool, a charity based at Ellergreen
Children's and Community Centre in Norris Green.
Pauline Thornley, Project Co-ordinator for
Kinship Carers Liverpool, said:-
"What we are trying to do is let people know about the amazing work that our
kinship carers do and tell other kinship carers that we are here to support
them. The choice of whether to become a kinship carer can happen to anyone who
has relatives or close friends with children. Anyone of us could become a
Kinship Carer, the reasons are wide and varied, ranging from the tragic death of
a parent, imprisonment or issues to do with mental health and drug or alcohol
addiction. We run courses and hold events and activities for both carers and
young people, providing the support they need to help them through life's
challenges. We offer unique and tailor-made services that specifically address
the needs of these families."
Councillor Barry Kushner, Cabinet member for children's services, said:-
"There are so many cases where grandparents, aunts and uncles step in to provide
a stable home for children in their family, many of whom may have ended up in
care. These family members need support and Kinship Carers Liverpool do an
incredible job providing advice and support to young people and carers and we
are extremely grateful to them for their work."
Anyone who is a kinship carer is welcome to attend the following activities at
Ellergreen Children's and Community Centre on Ellergreen Road in Norris Green:-
► Monday, 9 October
2017, from 10am to 2pm; coffee morning, bingo and
lunch.
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Wednesday, 11 October 2017, from 6pm to 8pm; kin kids party.
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Friday, 13 October 2017, from 12pm to 3pm; afternoon tea for kin carers with food, music and
entertainment.
A video
about Kinship Carers' work can be found on
Vimeo.
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