A POWERFUL new film about fostering has been launched with the backing of more than 100 councils, including Leicester City Council.
The film, called 'Everything’, is the seventh to be produced by a partnership of councils and children’s trusts to promote local authority fostering. The ‘Everything’ project is the largest collaboration yet, with participants from all over the country.
'Everything’ follows foster carer Mike and his family on a journey through time with two of the children they have looked after, who are now adults. A surprise 60th birthday party for Mike gives Will and Zara a chance to reflect on how being fostered made a difference to their lives, thanking him for everything.
There are more than 600 children and young people in care in Leicester, many of whom live with foster families. However, there is a national shortage of people coming forward to foster, and the challenge to recruit is increasing. This year’s ‘Everything’ film is a timely reminder of the importance of foster carers, and the ongoing impact they have on the lives of the children they care for, right through to adulthood.
Deputy city mayor Cllr Sarah Russell, who leads on social care, said: “The ‘Everything’ project shows the long-term positive impact fostering can have. All councils need to recruit more foster carers, and by collaborating to produce this powerful film, we will show people how rewarding and life-changing fostering is.
“The message is clear – we need more people to come forward and become foster carers. We hope this film will help us to reach more people in our communities and encourage them to find out more about this rewarding role.
“We are committed to giving the vulnerable children and young people we care for the best chance to thrive, which for the vast majority of them is with local fostering families.”
Thanks to footage shot on a genuine old camcorder, the ‘Everything’ film takes viewers back to the 1990s, to see how Will settles into the family. The film also jumps back to the 2010s, when a young Zara is being taught to play the guitar by Mike, something that comes full circle when she performs a song at the party. Mike’s son Chris is involved throughout, showing the important role the children of foster carers play.
The concluding message of the film is that what you do with your life could forever change someone else’s – encouraging people to foster to help make that change.
The film was developed with the input and insight of foster carers and people with care experience, was produced by Reel TwentyFive and project managed by public sector media partner CAN/Rachel Brown.
Project director Rachel Brown said: “Many people don’t realise how common it is for relationships made through fostering to last well beyond the ‘official’ caring role. This has a huge impact on the lives of those who have been fostered, giving them stability and security well into adulthood.
“We also wanted to reflect how the children of foster carers make a difference to children when they come into care, helping them to feel part of the family.
“Having more than 100 councils taking part in the project, the film will reach a very wide audience, encouraging people to find out more and take the steps towards becoming a foster carer.
“Fostering with your local council or children’s trust means you can better support local children and young people who need a safe and nurturing home where they can grow and thrive.”
Sarah Thomas, chief executive of the Fostering Network said: "The Fostering Network has been proud to support the collaborative film projects since 'Giants' in 2017. It's great to see local authority fostering services pooling resources to produce another amazing film. 'Everything' will help to amplify their message about the chronic shortage of fostering households, encouraging more people to come forward and foster.
“One of the main characters in the film, Chris, shows how important other family members are when it comes to fostering. This is something we champion throughout October, which is Children of Foster Carer's Month."
The national launch of the film was held at the Everyman cinema in Birmingham on 17 October and you can view the full film on our website, at leicester.gov.uk/fostering.
Could you foster? To find out more about fostering for Leicester City Council, please visit our Fostering website pages, come along to one of our informal information events, or contact our fostering enquiry team on 0116 454 4500 or at fostering.information@leicester.gov.uk.