Foster East Midlands, in partnership with CAN Media, is proud to present ‘Everything’ – a powerful new fostering film that highlights how fostering can truly mean everything to those involved. This film was created in collaboration with over 100 local authorities, including Derby City, Derbyshire County Council, Nottingham City, and Nottinghamshire County Council.
‘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.
Thanks to footage shot on a genuine old camcorder, we are taken to the 1990s, to see how Will settles into the family. We also jump 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.
All of the house and garden scenes were filmed in Chilwell, Nottinghamshire, adding a local and authentic touch to the film.
The concluding message of the film is that what you do with your life could forever change someone else’s – encouraging people to foster in order to 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.
Project Director for CAN Media, Rachel Brown describes the main message of the film:
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 over 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.
Cllr Paul Hezelgrave, Lead Council’s Cabinet Member for Foster East Midlands said:
The ‘Everything’ project has given our fostering service an amazing film that shows the long-term impact fostering can have, with relationships between carers and children lasting well into adulthood.
All councils need to recruit more foster carers, and by collaborating to produce this emotionally powerful film, we will show people how rewarding and life-changing fostering is.
The message is the same for all of us – we need more people to step forward and become foster carers. ‘Everything’ will help us to reach more people in our communities and encourage them to find out more about this really rewarding role.
We are committed to giving vulnerable children and young people we care for the best chance to thrive, which for many of them is with local fostering families.
Sarah Thomas, chief executive of the Fostering Network says:
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 Carers Month.
‘Everything’ is the latest in a series of film collaborations that started in 2017 with ‘Giants’, which was supported by a small number of local authorities in the midlands and has now grown into a national project across England, reflecting the need to recruit more foster carers.
Watch the full version of the ‘Everything’ Film on Foster for East Midlands YouTube channel or view the 30 second shortened version.
If you're interested in becoming a foster carer or want to learn more, visit Foster for East Midlands webpage, email hello@fosterforeastmidlands.org.uk or call 03033 132950
Be inspired and watch the 'Everything' foster film