A new video is set to be released as part of a campaign to encourage more people to become foster parents.

Swindon Borough Council has collaborated with 100 other councils across the nation for the second year running to produce the video titled 'Everything'.

The film is set to be a key tool in the council's campaign over the upcoming weeks and months.

It follows foster carer Mike and his family on a journey through time with two of the children they have looked after, who are now adults.

Mike waving as he heads into his birthday partyMike waving as he heads into his birthday party (Image: Swindon Borough Council) A surprise 60th birthday party for Mike gives Will and Zara a chance to reflect on how being fostered made a difference to their lives.

The film ends with a message encouraging people to foster to make a positive change in someone else's life.

Currently, more than 120 children and young people are living miles away from their family and friends in Swindon because there are not enough local foster carers to provide a loving home.

There are more than 300 children, from babies to teenagers, under the care of the council because they cannot stay in their own home.

A young Mike with his foster child Will and his brother Chris, who is Mike's biological sonA young Mike with his foster child Will and his brother Chris, who is Mike's biological son (Image: Swindon Borough Council) Forty-one per cent of these children were placed more than 20 miles away as there are not enough carers in Swindon for those children to stay in the town.

The council, which said it is in "desperate need" of new foster carers, hosted a launch event on October 17 at the Civic Offices in Euclid Street, where existing foster carers, community faith leaders, and councillors were shown the full film and encouraged to support the campaign.

The film features Will, pictured in his childhood bedroom once he has grown upThe film features Will, pictured in his childhood bedroom once he has grown up (Image: Swindon Borough Council) Councillor Paul Dixon, Swindon Borough Council’s cabinet member for children's social care, said: "This new film highlights the long-term, incredible impact that fostering can have, with relationships between carers and children lasting well into adulthood.

"It has been developed in collaboration with other local authorities, which has been an efficient way to pool funding and resources.

"We’ll be using the film as part of our ongoing campaign to recruit more foster carers who can provide a loving home for local children."

He added: “If you or someone you know has ever considered being a foster carer, seize the moment and get in touch find out more.

"Just search ‘fostering’ on the council’s website, call 07917 503447, or email fosteringrecruitment@swindon.gov.uk.

"We can give you all the information you need to help decide if this could be the right opportunity for you.”

Help support trusted local news

Sign up for a digital subscription now: https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/subscribe/

As a digital subscriber, you will get:            

  • Unlimited access to the Swindon Advertiser website        
  • Advert-light access             
  • Reader rewards             
  • Full access to our app