NEW foster carers are urgently needed in Oxfordshire.

The county has 435 children in care and 336 foster carers.

Oxfordshire County Council’s fostering service wants to recruit at least 45 new foster carers by March next year to provide more desperately needed placements for children in the county.

Meera Spillett, director for children, young people and families at the council, said it was a subject close to her heart, as she grew up in foster care.

Ms Spillett, right, said: “I believe being prepared to help children and young people who are for many reasons not able to remain with their own families shows a real commitment to helping others and in a broader sense is ‘fostering their future’.

“Foster carers receive discounts from some of the Oxfordshire leisure centres.

“We actively encourage our foster carers to promote a healthy lifestyle and this is one way that helps them, by providing affordable leisure activities.”

Oxfordshire’s Fostering Fortnight runs until Sunday, May 29. Over the next two weeks a number of information sessions will be held for people in the county to hear more about how they can help.

The first is tomorrow at the Windrush Leisure Centre, in Witney between 10am and 5pm.

Maria White, from the county council’s fostering team, said: “Children of all ages from babies to teenagers need fostering, but we particularly find it hard to place sibling groups, older children from black and ethnic minorities and disabled children.

“We need a diverse range of people with different skills and qualities to come forward so that more children are placed in the right home.

“During Foster Care Fortnight we are holding events across the county.”

Ms Spillett added: “If you have space in your home and life and the right qualities to care for children then please talk to us.”

Everyone who attends the drop-in sessions will receive a voucher that entitles them to a free swim, game of badminton or Zumba class.

They are being held:

  • Tomorrow – Windrush Leisure Centre, Witney, 10am-5pm
  • Friday, Ferry Leisure Centre, North Oxford, 5-8pm
  • Saturday, Thame Leisure Centre, noon-5pm
  • Monday, May 23, Chipping Norton Leisure Centre, 3-8pm
  • Tuesday, May 24, Abbey Sports Centre, Berinsfield, 4-8pm
  • Wednesday, May 25, Carterton Leisure Centre, 3-7pm
  • Thursday, May 26, Henley Leisure Centre, 4-8pm
  • Friday, May 27, Barton Leisure Centre, Oxford, 6-8pm
  • Saturday, May 28, Didcot Wave Pool, noon-5pm

    Anyone interested in fostering is welcome at any of the events.

Alternatively, contact Maria White on 01865 323127 or via email to maria.white@ oxfordshire.gov.uk