Staff from one of the UK’s leading independent fostering agencies have built a mock bedroom in the Mansfield Museum, which will be on display until Monday 4th January, as part of a foster carer recruitment campaign.

‘Finding Room to Foster’ is a campaign which draws on the moments when carers from Foster Care Associates (FCA) in the region found that unique time in their life to make the important decision to foster – making room both emotionally and physically.

The team at FCA, which has a regional office on Oakham Business Park in Mansfield, is demonstrating how little physical space is needed by building a mock bedroom – including a bed, wardrobe and drawers – to encourage those with a spare bedroom to think about becoming a foster carer.

Alan Wood, fostering services manager for FCA in Mansfield, said: “We’ve been working with children and young people for 21 years and our experience shows that one-to-one support in a family setting is the best way to help children and young people in local authority care overcome their issues and deal with their past.

“We have some fabulous foster carers, but we urgently need more, and hope our ‘Finding Room to Foster’ event will encourage more people in the region to make room in their life and seriously consider becoming a foster carer and the rewards it can offer. Our experienced FCA staff and carers will be on-hand to answer any questions.”

FCA provide ongoing comprehensive support to all foster carers including training, a financial allowance, access to carer support groups and organised family activities – all contributing factors as to why FCA placements are 22% more stable than the national average.

For more information on becoming a foster carer with FCA call 0800 022 4012 or visit www.thefca.co.uk