FOSTERING is a step that many people say they have considered but that they didn’t know enough about.

The council’s fostering team is seeking to address that with an open evening, on Thursday, where residents can get more information about what is involved.

Staff will be available alongside existing foster carers to answer any questions.

The council is in need of new foster carers to help look after children who require support across the borough.

Local foster carer Hayley said: “Being a foster carer can be challenging but it is one of the most rewarding things you can ever do. By providing a supporting, stable and caring family home environment for a child helps to build a trusting relationship where a child feels safe.

“For us sometimes it can be the simplest things like watching your foster child laugh, helping themselves in the kitchen or getting a good grade at school that makes you realise what a difference you can make by being there for them, helping them grow in confidence, believing in themselves and encouraging them to be the best that they can possibly be.”

The event will run from 6.30pm to 7.30pm on Thursday at the Lyndhurst Centre, Lyndhurst Crescent, Park North, SN3 2RW. People can drop it at any time during the session.

Fionuala Foley, the cabinet member responsible for fostering said: “The council really needs more people to become foster carers in Swindon. At the moment we have a group of really fantastic carers who work for us and make a huge difference to the lives of the children in their care but, unfortunately, we do not have enough carers to cope with all the children who need support in the borough.

“I would urge anyone who has a spare room and has thought about fostering to come along to this event to find out more about how fostering could become a part of their life and how they could change the lives of children in Swindon.”