Foster for East Midlands Councils is proud to support Foster Care Fortnight 2026, running from 11 to 24 May. Led by The Fostering Network, this is the UK’s largest campaign to raise awareness of fostering and the vital role foster carers play in transforming young lives.

Across the UK, hundreds of foster carers open their homes to provide safe, stable, and nurturing environments for children and young people. However, more carers are urgently needed to ensure every child can be matched with the right home for their individual needs.

This year’s theme, “This is Fostering,” highlights the realities of fostering and the difference carers make every day. It recognises the skill, resilience, and commitment required to support children, often in complex circumstances.

Foster for East Midlands Councils is a regional fostering hub, bringing together Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, and Nottinghamshire. Collectively their aim is to increase the number of foster carers across the region while ensuring they receive the support and guidance needed to succeed.

Having more foster carers locally means more children can remain close to their schools, friends, and communities, maintaining important connections and stability.

During Foster Care Fortnight 2026, we will be sharing stories from across the East Midlands on Foster for East Midlands Councils Facebook and web pages to raise awareness of fostering and encourage more people to consider making a difference. These stories will bring experiences to life, from helping a child build trust to supporting them through change and new beginnings. These moments reflect the care, adaptability, and dedication at the heart of fostering.

Read some of the most memorable moments that have already been shared by our foster carers:

Dianne a foster carer reflected on supporting a young person to return home, and the ongoing relationship that followed:

We worked together to support her journey home, and she eventually returned to her family. We’ve stayed in contact ever since, and it’s been wonderful to see how she is doing and remain part of her life. That’s what makes it so memorable.

Hayley shared a powerful reflection on the long-term impact of fostering:

The biggest win is when a child starts to listen to you and takes on board what you’ve been saying. I’ve had a long term foster daughter for 10 years, and after she moved out she told me, ‘You were right about everything.’ And that, as any parent knows, is just amazing.

Melanie spoke about the everyday moments that stay with you:

So many memorable moments. One of the first was taking the child to the beach and seeing them jump over the waves in the sea for the first time, it was so idyllic. But it’s also the small things, like snuggling up on the sofa after school, our safe space to calm down and just be together in the evenings.

Lee reflected on the pride of seeing a young person grow in confidence:

Our first lad joined a local rugby team, and I remember him playing a match where he was captain, he was roaring everyone on and leading the team. It really made me smile. You hope that one day they’ll look back on those times the matches, the car journeys, the experiences and remember that there were people there who cared and wanted to help.

Sarah Thomas, Chief Executive of The Fostering Network, said:

The UK is in urgent need of more foster carers. Each year, we are losing more carers than we are gaining, and that simply isn’t sustainable. This Foster Care Fortnight, we will be encouraging people to consider fostering while saying a big thank you to our existing foster carers for everything they do.

Thank you to everyone who is helping us raise awareness of fostering during Foster Care Fortnight.

Cllr Nadine Peatfield, Leader of Derby City Council and spokesperson for Foster East Midlands Councils, added:

Foster Care Fortnight is an important opportunity to recognise the incredible difference foster carers make to the lives of children and young people across our region. ‘This is Fostering’ shines a light on the dedication, compassion and resilience our carers show every day.

Across the East Midlands, foster carers provide not just a safe place to live, but the stability and support that helps children rebuild trust and look forward with confidence. We are proud to support this campaign and to stand alongside our foster carers, whose commitment continues to change lives.

We encourage anyone who has ever considered fostering to come forward and find out more—your support could make a lasting difference to a child’s future.

If you’re inspired, why not consider fostering? Call 03033 132 950 or visit fosterforeastmidlands.org.uk to learn more.

You can also get behind the campaign by sharing your support on social media using #FCF26.