This week is Barnardo’s Fostering And Adoption week. Many of us remember the support and advice we received from our parents when we were growing up. Would you consider fostering a child so you can pass on what you’ve learned to a young person in need of a loving home?

There is currently an urgent need for about 575 new foster families across the south west and 8,600 across the whole UK.

With the number of children in care rising for the 8th year in a row to more than 90,000, the need for new foster carers is more acute than ever.

We would like to hear from anybody with compassion and commitment interested in fostering who could provide a stable home for some of the most vulnerable children in the care system.

Barnardo’s offers 24-hour support and advice to all our foster carers throughout the training process and their fostering career.

If you are able to provide a home for children in need or want to find out more about fostering in the south west, visit barnardos.org.uk/fostering or call 0800 0277 280.

Hugh Sherriffe Director, Barnardo’s South West