The work of City of York Council’s amazing foster carers is being recognised and celebrated with a special area of designated woodland at York Community Woodland this spring.
The 78 hectare York Community Woodland site has been identified by the council to increase green space in the city. The area of woodland dedicated to fostering will reflect and celebrate York’s foster carers who help provide safe, loving homes for children and young people who can’t live with their birth families.
Cllr Bob Webb, the council’s Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education, said:
It seems fitting that we highlight the amazing work of our foster carers given their role enabling our children and young people to grow and flourish – just like the growing, developing woodland. I hope that the plaque might encourage other people enjoying the site to consider fostering as a career.
Sam Fletcher, York Beat Forester & York Community Woodland Manager for Forestry England, said:
I’m delighted that Forestry England can help to recognise the selfless work of Foster Carers across the city. The plaque is a lovely gesture and hopefully like the trees planted here, it can be part of a lasting legacy for the families involved.
A York foster carer, said:
Thank you for thinking of foster carers and for recognising us in this way.
As Foster carers we work hard to support and care for many young people in our city. It is challenging at times but very rewarding. It is a privilege to be part of a team who put children and young people at the centre, enabling them to feel like valued members of both fostering and birth families.
It would be amazing if this recognition could raise awareness and encourage more people to choose to foster.
