FODC_Inform News_Winter 2022

GAME CHANGER. Strule Shared Education Campus is a game changer. It represents a forward thinking and open-minded approach to the delivery of education in Omagh, and throughout Northern Ireland. Strule will offer boundless opportunities for students, regardless of ability, background and culture. A new adventure awaits. To find out more visit Strule.org 7 www. fermanaghomagh .com Fostering Currently over 2,800 children and young people in Northern Ireland rely on foster care. The Western Trust need more people who can provide a safe and nurturing home for children and young people in our area. Maggie Crawford is a foster carer for over 10 years. Maggie felt she could offer a space in her home to a young person. She attended an information session, which was a great first step into becoming a foster carer. Talking about her experiences, Maggie shared: “I love it! I absolutely love it. They give you a lot of laughs along with everything else and you learn all sorts of new things. Teenagers I fostered years ago still come to visit me, they even bring their own children now to see me and that’s just awesome!” “Within the Trust they offer you lots of support, lots of different types of training, you are never alone in the process of fostering.” There is no such thing as a typical foster carer and people often think they can’t foster because they are single, they work, or feel they are too old. HSCNI Foster Care welcomes applications from people from all backgrounds regardless of marital, employment or home ownership status, or whether you are a parent or not. Enquiries are considered from people from any race, religion, language, culture, gender, disability, age or sexual orientation. Don’t rule yourself out! If you are resilient, flexible and have the energy, time and commitment to become a foster carer, please call the Fostering Recruitment Team at Health and Social Care Trust on 0800 0720 137 or visit www.adoptionandfostercare.hscni.net i