More than 60 Tusla foster families gathered in Kells for Fosterfest 2024
More than 60 families from Dublin North City, Dublin North, and counties Louth, Meath, Cavan, and Monaghan gathered at Rockfield House in Kells on Sunday, June 23rd, for a day of food, music, games, and family fun in the sun at Fosterfest 2024.
The annual event is chance for Tusla foster carers and foster children from the Dublin North East region to come together and enjoy each other’s company, share experiences, and take part in a family-style event that might otherwise not be available to some children and young people who are in need of alternative care.
Eilidh MacNab, Regional Chief Officer, Tusla Dublin Northeast, said: “This year’s Fosterfest was a spectacular success and allowed us to show our sincerest appreciation to the individuals, couples, and families who share their homes and lives with children and young people in need. It was a joy to see foster families and Tusla staff come together under the Co Meath sunshine to celebrate the start of summer and their commitment to this important aspect of our care services.”
Fosterfest is just one way that Tusla supports foster carers and children in care who avail of fostering services, which can range from emergency placements to intermittent respite fostering to longer term scenarios. In addition to such events, Tusla works with a range of professionals to support children and young people in care and the foster carers who welcome them into their homes.
Currently, there are 1,465 children in foster care in the Dublin Northeast region and 868 families who foster.
Jacqueline Smyth, National Lead for Foster Care, Tusla, said: “Our foster carers are instrumental to the work we do, and we always look forward to celebrating their support and dedication through regional and local events such as Fosterfest. So many individuals, couples and families in Ireland have the qualities and skills that can make a real difference in a child’s life, giving them the safe and loving home they deserve.”
Tusla is looking for people from diverse backgrounds, in communities across Ireland, to provide all types of foster care for young people who need them. Tusla foster carers come from all walks of life. This includes those in same-sex relationships, Travellers, non-Irish nationalities, people from different faiths and beliefs, those who have a disability, jobseekers, renters, single people, people who are over 40 years old, and couples who work full time.
The first step in the fostering journey is to speak to someone on the Tusla Fostering team to explore if fostering is the right move for you and your family. For more information and to register for a foster information session visit fostering.ie, call freephone 1800 226 771 or email tusla.fostering@tusla.ie.