In the frame for foster caring?

idoc.ashxCould you provide a warm and loving home for some of the most vulnerable children in West Sussex? Could you become a foster carer?

Foster Care Fortnight, the annual campaign run by the Fostering Network to highlight the need for more foster carers, takes place this year from Monday 13 to Sunday 26 May.

West Sussex County Council runs monthly fostering drop-in sessions across the county, which are an ideal chance for anyone interested in finding out more about fostering to come along to.

You can speak to officers from the fostering team, and some drop-in sessions have foster carers present so you can speak to them directly and find out more about what being a foster carer is like.

Foster homes offer children a stable family environment while their own parents are unable to look after them. Could you help in providing this vital role?

There are many reasons why a child comes into foster care. Their stay with foster carers could be short-term until they can return to their parents, or it might need to be longer term.

The County Council tries to place children with foster carers in their local area, so they can continue to stay close to their school, friends, people and places they know. This means the Council is always on the lookout for new foster carers to come forward from across West Sussex.

Foster carers come from all walks of life and from a range of cultural and ethnic backgrounds. People from a variety of backgrounds can apply to foster, regardless of their marital status or sexuality.

What is important is skills such as a good sense of humour, patience, energy and the ability to treat children and young people as individuals.

Foster carers receive a comprehensive support package from the County Council, including on-going training and financial allowances to meet the needs of the children in their care.

Are you interested and would you like to find out more? You can visit the website at www.westsussex.gov.uk/fostering for further information and details of all the drop-in sessions, or call 01403 229333.

Fostering drop-in sessions run from 10am to 4pm. The sessions taking place in West Sussex in 2013 are:

  • Saturday 18 May, Worthing Library, Richmond Road, Worthing, BN11 1HD.
  • Wednesday 22 May, Horsham Library, Lower Tanbridge Way, Horsham, RH12 1PJ.
  • Wednesday 19 June, Burgess Hill Library, The Martlets, Burgess Hill, RH15 9NN.
  • Tuesday 9 July, Chichester Library, Tower Street, Chichester, PO19 1QJ
  • Friday 16 August, Shoreham Library, St Mary’s Road, Shoreham-by-Sea, BN43 5ZA.
  • Tuesday 17 September, Crawley Library, Southgate Avenue, Crawley, RH10 6HG.
  • Tuesday 8 October, Worthing Library, Richmond Road, Worthing, BN11 1HD.
  • Tuesday 12 November, Haywards Heath Library, 34 Boltro Road, Haywards Heath, RH16 1BN.
  • Tuesday 3 December, Bognor Regis Library, London Road, Bognor Regis, PO21 1DE.

Mid Sussex supports English Tourism Week

english_tourism_week

Local residents are encouraged to look out for some fantastic offers this month as Mid Sussex tourist attractions celebrate English Tourism Week.

English Tourism Week 2013 starts on Saturday 16 March and is a week-long celebration of events that showcase the quality and vibrancy of English tourist attractions.

Mid Sussex has many spectacular places to visit including, world class gardens, a heritage steam railway, international award winning vineyards, charming villages and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Mid Sussex District Council is a strong supporter of local attractions and is encouraging everyone to look out for some fantastic discounts this month. Throughout English Tourism Week, the Council will be placing promotional displays in local libraries, information points and leisure centres, so people can find out more about local tourist attractions. Just look for the English Tourism sign to pick up some great offers at venues all over the District.

High Beeches Garden, which is set in 27 acres of magnificent woodland and boasts water gardens full of rare and exotic plants, is offering 2 for 1 on adult admission on Thursday 21 and Friday 22 March.

Borde Hill Garden near Haywards Heath, described as ‘One of the country’s truly great gardens’ by Country Life Magazine, will be offering a £2 reduction on the regular adult price for Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 March. For families there is also an adventure playground with one of the longest zip wires in Sussex.

The Priest House in West Hoathly, a beautiful 15th Century Wealden Hall on the edge of the Ashdown Forest, is also offering 2 for 1 on adult admission for the duration of English Tourism Week.

To obtain these and other great offers, simply quote the code ‘ETW13’ on arrival at a participating attraction to receive the discount.

“Mid Sussex is one of the most beautiful parts of the country and English Tourism Week is the perfect opportunity for us to remind people just why it’s so special,” said Councillor John de Mierre, Cabinet Member for Economic Development. “We are so fortunate to be surrounded by areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, like the High Weald in the north and the South Downs National Park in the south.

“We have so much beauty right on our doorstep that it’s easy to take for granted but I urge people to get out there and make the most of it. Our local attractions are offering some terrific deals for English Tourism Week so this month is the ideal time to pay them a visit. Look out for more information on local offers and discounts at selected locations across the District.”

For more information about English Tourism Week or tourist attractions in Mid Sussex contact, Lucie Venables, MSDC Participate Mid Sussex Officer, on 01444 477012 or email Lucie.Venables@midsussex.gov.uk.