Foster carers from across Northern Ireland took part in the Fostering 400 Biker Tour on Saturday, raising awareness of the urgent need for at least 400 additional foster carers to support children and young people who require foster care.
Culminating in Armagh, the event brought together foster carers who are also motorcycle enthusiasts, using the tour to connect with communities and highlight the vital role foster care plays in providing safe, stable and nurturing homes for children and young people.
The Fostering 400 Biker Tour took place during Foster Care Fortnight (11–24 May), The Fostering Network’s UK-wide annual campaign celebrating fostering and showcasing the positive impact it has on children, families and communities.
Throughout the day, the bikers visited five locations across the five Health and Social Care Trust areas, meeting members of the public, fostering staff, fellow foster carers and local supporters.
The tour began at Royal Avenue’s cultural centre in Belfast before travelling to Lisburn, Ballymena and Enniskillen, and concluded in Armagh.
Gareth Irvine, an HSC NI foster carer in the Southern Trust, who led the biker tour, said: “I’m passionate about championing fostering and raising awareness of the need for more foster carers right across Northern Ireland. This tour was a great opportunity to meet people face to face, answer questions, and share honest experiences of what fostering really involves.
“The simple, everyday things we do as foster carers can make a lasting difference to children’s lives. Helping them feel safe and secure allows them to grow in confidence, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see that progress. My wife, Natasha, and I do our best to give each child a positive experience of family life while they’re with us so they feel valued, supported and cared for.”
There are currently 3,514 children living in foster care in Northern Ireland, with numbers continuing to rise. As demand increases, HSC NI Foster Care is appealing for more people to consider fostering, particularly those from diverse backgrounds who can reflect the needs and experiences of the children and young people requiring care.
Without sufficient foster carers, children and young people may experience multiple moves, longer journeys to school, separation from siblings, and disruption to friendships, education, hobbies and interests.
Vanessa Nelis, Service Coordinator for HSC NI Foster Care, said: “We greatly value our foster carers and kinship foster carers, who go above and beyond to provide the safety, stability and care our children and young people need during a difficult time in their lives. During Foster Care Fortnight, we were proud to celebrate our fostering community and the skills, love and dedication shown every day by our foster carers.”
People from a wide range of backgrounds can foster, including those who are single or married, working or not, homeowners or renters, and those with or without children of their own. There are also different types of fostering opportunities available, meaning fostering does not always require a full-time commitment.
HSC NI foster carers receive ongoing professional support, tailored training and development opportunities, as well as financial allowances and access to local support networks and family activities.
To find out more about fostering with HSC NI Foster Care, call 0800 0720 137 or visit adoptionandfostercare.hscni.net.
