Torbay Council’s Fostering team will be at this year’s Torbay Pride event at Torre Abbey Meadows on Saturday 7 September from 9am to 4pm.

There will be entertainment throughout the day including the Pride parade (gather at Princess Gardens at 11.30am for a parade along Torbay Road from 12pm up to Torre Abbey Meadows), music by local band Harbour, also George Michael, Taylor Swift, Elton John and Amy Winehouse tribute acts, light show and much more.

The event is open to all and there are also activities taking place on Friday 6 September and Sunday 8 September so check the Torbay Pride website for full details. 

Torbay Council wants to remind people that if you want to foster or adopt you can be from any background, gender or sexual orientation. You can also foster if you are single as long as you have stable accommodation.

Councillor Nick Bye, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “We are delighted to be able to promote Fostering at this year’s Torbay Pride event. It’s an opportunity to remind everyone that, whoever you are, the most important thing we need from Foster Carers is the ability to provide a safe and loving home to some of our most vulnerable children.

““So if you’re thinking about Fostering or just want to find out more, why not talk to a member of our Fostering team at Pride or one of the other local events we’re attending, or alternatively you can contact them on 01803 207845, email fostering@torbay.gov.uk or visit our Fostering webpages.

Who can Foster?

• Single, married, straight, gay or lesbian
• Some experience of looking after children
• You have a strong partnership or family and friends
• Any cultural background
• Over 18 but there is no upper age limit
• Stable accommodation
• Good health. If you have a disability you can still foster if it does not prevent the caring tasks from being carried out
• Have a good understanding of the English language and are able to read and write
• Be able to use email and the internet, or be prepared to undertake basic IT training
• Be willing to attend ongoing fostering training
• Agree to a full criminal records check

Find out more

Find out more about Fostering on our webpages. 

Find out more about Torbay Pride on their website. 

Case study: Local same sex couple share their Fostering story

The couple foster together and enjoy family days out. Here’s what they told us:

“I got into fostering, mainly because my background was in, childcare, ever since I finished college.

“So I then, decided to, look at the option of fostering. I've got, two sons myself, and, I thought it could work very well in our family unit. When I met my partner, it was something that I'd always wanted to do. So, we kind of came together with fostering as part of our relationship.

“The best thing about Fostering is building a relationship and seeing children grow, change and develop. It is about the family, embracing having another child in the household and I want to see them flourish, within the placement.

“It's very up and down. The ‘ups’ include seeing your foster children on their journey, seeing some of the changes, seeing them become more confident, creative, maybe getting a sense of humour that they didn't have before.

“Our best kind of fostering moments are days out, they're always fun and a bit crazy and chaotic.

“We like to go to a nearby swimming pool from the leisure centre nearby. We also like going to the library, then on other days we may go to Woodlands or Crealy.

“Typically, locally, we like to go to down and to the parks, taking the children out outside and up to the sea.

“We get very good support from Torbay Council. We got a very, good, social worker that we have a really good relationship with. and that enables us to be sort of open, if we experience any difficulties.

“If you enjoy being with children it’s really satisfying and rewarding, even seeing very slow changes which can make the difference to some children and their lives.

“So if you have time and love to give, and you feel that you can offer a foster child a safe and secure environment, then go for it.”

Pictured below: Stiltwalkers at last year's Torbay Pride event