Family Fostering Partners Peer Support Groups: Wreath Making

Peer Support at Family Fostering Partners: Building Connections, Providing Support 

At Family Fostering Partners, we understand the profound impact that meaningful peer support can have on an individual’s fostering journey. For many people, not knowing other people who foster is a barrier to beginning their fostering journey, but at FFP, we’re a friendly bunch! 

Your fostering journey is likely to come with unique rewards and challenges and having a fostering community to turn to for advice or to celebrate in your achievements can make all the difference. That's why at Family Fostering Partners, we have several ways of supporting our foster parents, each designed to help build strong relationships, provide resources, advice and guidance. As a family run agency, children are at the heart of everything we do, but we couldn’t do this without our fostering community.  

In this blog post, we’ll delve into our different forms of support that we offer at Family Fostering Partners. 

Support from Link Workers, On-Call Service, and Foster Talk 

At Family Fostering Partners, we provide a comprehensive support system for our foster carers, ensuring they have professional guidance and resources whenever they need them. Our dedicated link workers play a pivotal role in this support, meeting regularly with their designated foster parents to celebrate successes, discuss any potential challenges and provide tailored guidance. Our Link Workers are our foster parents contact for any day-to-day concerns; however, we all have our part to play in supporting foster families.  

 “Nobody at FFP is inaccessible, I know I can phone up and speak to any member of the team should I need to” explains Katie, a foster parent with Family Fostering Partners.  

At FFP, we are committed to helping our foster parents feel connected and well-informed. In addition to link worker support, we offer a 24/7 on-call service for urgent situations, ensuring that help is available at any time.  

Foster Talk is another valuable resource we provide; your fully paid for membership entitles you to additional expertise and practical advice, from legal advice to counselling, as well as additional training and support services. Our aim is that these avenues of support empower our foster parents with the knowledge, resources, and reassurance they need to provide the best possible care for the children in their homes. 

The Power of Peer Support in Fostering 

Fostering is an extremely rewarding role, but one that can come with its challenges. Being able to talk openly with people who understand the experience can offer invaluable emotional support. Our foster parents have access to a variety of peer support opportunities that are tailored to meet our foster parents different needs, schedules, and preferences. Whether it's an encouraging message on our closed Facebook group, a discussion in one of our in-person support groups, or bonding at one of our Christmas events, each interaction strengthens the connections within our fostering family. 

A Safe Space: Our Closed Facebook Page 

Our closed Facebook page is a hub of activity, allowing foster parents to connect, ask questions, and share insights in a secure and private online environment. Here, our foster parents are free to ask for advice, share pictures of their fostering family, or celebrate in one another’s successes. Family Fostering Partners carefully moderates the group to ensure it remains a safe and positive space. This platform also allows us to share regular updates, resources, and event information, so carers are always in the loop and have access to the support they need when they need it. 

In-Person Support Groups: Building Real Connections 

While digital platforms provide a convenient way to stay connected, there’s something uniquely impactful about in-person gatherings. Our in person support groups offer foster parents the opportunity to meet face-to-face, share their experiences, and form lasting friendships. Held locally, these peer support groups are a fantastic opportunity for those new to fostering to get to know other local foster parents. These sessions are hosted by our link workers, who provide guidance, facilitate discussions, share updates from the agency and address any questions or concerns foster carers may have. We also facilitate regular quest speakers, most recently Robert Parton came to speak to our foster parents about his experience of living with autism, accompanied by his mum who shared her own valuable insights. 

Our Recent Wreath-Making Workshop 

As part of our commitment to providing unique and engaging opportunities for our foster parents to connect, we recently hosted wreath making workshops. These festive events were a new addition to our peer support group offerings, designed to bring together foster parents for a day of festive fun! 

The FFP team were busy collecting foliage from their gardens to bring along to the wreath workshop. We even paid a visit to Gower Fresh Christmas Trees for some Christmas tree branches! With our wreath making equipment at the ready, our team of foster parents got to work; here’s what we created…

We believe that when foster parents feel supported, they’re better able to provide stable, loving homes for the children in their care. This philosophy drives all our support initiatives and is a core aspect of our mission as an agency. 

Join Us in Celebrating the Foster Carer Community 

The dedication, compassion, and resilience of our foster parents is what allow us to make a lasting impact on the lives of vulnerable children. Through peer support initiatives like our closed Facebook group, in-person support groups and workshops, we’re committed to creating an environment where foster carers feel valued, connected, and empowered.  

If you’re considering becoming a foster parent, whether you know people who foster or not, you won’t be doing it alone. Family Fostering Partners is here to provide a robust support system, ensuring you have the resources and community needed to thrive in your new role. Contact us today to learn more about our fostering services, our training and support, and how you can join an independent fostering agency that’s as dedicated to making a difference as you are. 

Reach out to us today – you can book a call, request an information pack, complete our fostering application form or use the ‘chat to us’ feature in the bottom right hand corner to ask us a question.