A brand new national fostering mini film titled, ‘The Run’, launched yesterday at the Everyman cinema, Birmingham.
Foster for Solihull, along with over 90 other local authority fostering services are involved with the project, managed by CAN Digital. ‘The Run’ is set to be the most ambitious jointly funded fostering film project yet.
The two minute film focuses on Tom, an 11-year-old boy, contrasting his need to run - away from danger, a chaotic home life, to get to school in time for breakfast club because he’s hungry and with his interest in running as a competitive sport
Despite the disadvantages Tom faces before being fostered, he’s good at running and the film climaxes with Tom taking part in an athletics tournament, running in a stadium, with the support of his new foster family.
It’s Tom’s chance to shine. Can Tom win his race? On the track and in his life?
Councillor Karen Grinsell, Leader of Solihull Council and cabinet member for Children’s Services and Education, said: “The key message of this project is very simple, but so important. Foster carers are desperately needed to provide safe, secure and loving homes for children, who through no fault of their own, can no longer stay with their birth parents. If you have space in your heart, and space in your home, we encourage you to get in touch with our Foster for Solihull team.
This sentiment applies not only in Solihull, but across the country, which is why this project has grown into a national campaign. ‘The Run’ is a short, yet brilliant, emotional film, created in partnership with dozens of other Local Authorities. By joining forces we are able to significantly increase awareness of the need for foster carers, powerfully highlighting how fostering really can change both your life, and the life of a child.”
Local Authority fostering services are under pressure like never before, as more children need a safe, stable home. This is combined with increased competition from independent fostering agencies to recruit foster carers.
The film’s project director Rachel Brown explains:
“This whole project grew out of the constant struggle to recruit foster carers, when you have limited resources. By working as a group, which has grown from 12 to over 90 councils across the country, we’ve found a way to raise our voice and shout.
I say shout quite deliberately, because this is a national emergency. Make no mistake, children’s futures depend on having homes to give them a supportive, nurturing upbringing.
‘The Run’ won’t change things on its own, but we hope that everyone who sees it, will at least pause for thought, hopefully stepping forward to help our most vulnerable children and young people.”
One thing is for sure, there are children like Tom all over the country. Here in Solihull, if you want to make a difference talk to Foster for Solihull.”
View the film:
Find out more about fostering a Solihull child www.fosterforsolihull.co.uk