Discover fostering this Christmas

Gloucestershire County Council holds events this weekend and into December

Gloucestershire families interested in fostering can learn more this festive season thanks to free events organised by Gloucestershire County Council. Four council-run fostering events run from Fri 2 Dec to Mon 12 Dec with a mix of online and in-person activities. According to the council, ninety-five percent of people who attended its previous fostering events had excellent experiences with one commenting, “I found it extremely informative but in a very accessible and non-overwhelming way.”

The Christmas tree festivals at St. Stephen’s Church, Cinderford (This weekend - Fri 2 to Sun 4 Dec) and St. Laurence’s Church, Stroud, (Sun 11 Dec) each have an area dedicated to fostering: they feature Christmas trees decorated by children in care, as the council’s team answers all questions about fostering.

On Fri 2 Dec, an informal drop-in goodwill evening takes place in Stroud Town Centre where potential fosterers can chat with a member of the council’s fostering team or pick up reading material to take home. And on the evening of Mon 12 Dec, an experienced foster carer and a member of the council’s fostering team hold an online Zoom event: no booking required but contact the email below for Zoom instructions.

Gloucestershire County Council fostering events https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/fostering/events/

Mon 12 Dec Information Evening Zoom fostering@gloucestershire.gov.uk

Fri 2-Sat 3 Dec  St. Stephen’s Christmas Tree Festival, St. Stephen’s Church, Belle Vue Road, Cinderford, GL14 2AA. Open 10am–5pm (Fri), 10am–7pm (Sat)

Sun 4 Dec St. Laurence’s Christmas Tree Festival,  St. Laurence’s Church, The Shambles, Stroud, GL5 1AP. 12pm–5pm

Fri 2 Dec Stroud Goodwill Evening, Stroud Town Centre, Stroud, GL5 1RR. 5pm–9pm