The contribution made by care-experienced young people from York to a film about fostering, was acknowledged at its world premiere on Thursday 9 October.
Members of City of York Council’s Children’s Services teams and a local care-experienced young person attended the first screening of ‘The Run’, the seventh fostering awareness film produced by award-winning producers ReelTwentyFive, in Birmingham.
The film focuses on Tom, an 11-year-old boy, contrasting his need to run - away from danger, a chaotic home life, to get to school in time for breakfast club because he’s hungry - with running as a sport.
Care-experienced young people from York worked with the producers to ensure the film gave a realistic idea of what it is to go into care. This contribution was applauded at the premiere.
The film will premiere in York on Monday 20 October at West Offices, Station Rise at 6pm. To request tickets please email foster4york@york.gov.uk.
Despite the disadvantages Tom faces before being fostered – not even having PE kit for school – he’s good at running and the film climaxes with Tom taking part in an athletics tournament, running in a stadium, with the support of his new foster family.
The film is part of a major nationwide campaign involving over 90 local authority fostering services, project managed by CAN Digital. ‘The Run’ is set to be the most ambitious jointly funded fostering film project yet.
Cllr Bob Webb, City of York Council’s Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education, said:
The message of this project is very simple, but so important. Foster carers really do help to change young people’s lives for the better and in York, we always need more foster carers to help care for local children and young people.
“I would urge anyone who’s thinking about fostering to get in touch. There are lots of different options available and our friendly, specialist team will help guide you through the application process and beyond.”
That message is at the core of the film project. Local authority fostering services are under pressure like never before as more children need a safe, stable home.
The film’s project director Rachel Brown explains;
This whole project grew out of the constant struggle to recruit foster carers, when you have limited resources. By working as a group – which has grown from 12 to over 90 councils across the country – we’ve found a way to raise our voice and shout.
“I say shout quite deliberately - because this is a national emergency. Make no mistake, children’s futures depend on having homes to give them a supportive, nurturing upbringing.
“‘The Run’ won’t change things on its own, but we hope that everyone who sees it, will at least pause for thought, hopefully stepping forward to help our most vulnerable children and young people.”
To find out more about how you can make a life-changing difference for children and young people in York and to see the full film visit https://fostering.york.gov.uk/ or call 01904 555678.