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20 swindonlink.com • January 2012
Is fostering for you in 2012?

Throughout my days of being out in the community talking with people about fostering I have found that there are many misconceptions on
who can foster, writes Cheryl Keller, assistant team manager in the Family Placement Team at Swindon Borough Council.
There is no such thing as a typi- limit as long as they are fit enough a family setting.
cal foster carer. They come from all to look after a child. Foster Carers are provided with
different backgrounds. But they all We have a range of fostering ongoing training and an allowance
have one thing in common – they options available including short- and there is someone available 24
care about children and want to term, permanent and respite. We hours a day, seven days a week to
help them through a difficult time run two specialty schemes: call and talk with.
in their lives. They also need to have • Home and Away Overnight Please consider fostering as we
a spare room. Short Breaks scheme for Disabled need a diverse range of people to
Foster carers can be single, mar- Children; come forward to meet the needs of
ried or in same-sex partnerships. • Supported Lodgings which children and young people in care.
Some have children of their own provides support to young people 2012 could be the year that you make
living at home, some don’t. Foster aged 16 to 21 years who are making a difference to a child who needs
carers must be at least twenty one the transition out of foster care to a your support.
years old and there is no upper age form of independent living within For details of becoming a foster
carer, see the advert left.
Right, Cheryl Keller

Foster for Swindon Has Christmas left you crunched?

Two places to turn for help
People Like You - Providing a Home Join a credit union and stabilise your finances

Credit Unions are community banks which pay interest on deposits
and offer affordable loans.
Make a big difference to children You can save as much or as little finances. To join you will need to
and young people in Swindon. Foster.
as you like. If you save on a regular take in your £1 joining fee and two
basis, you may apply for a small forms of identity. After that, you
01793 465700 low cost loan after only 12 weeks. can save by monthly standing order
[email protected] Interest paid on loans is 12.68% from a bank or benefits account if
www.swindon.gov.uk
Young Mum Swindon Link 130x93_Layout 1 11/07/2011 10:24 Page 1 APR on the declining balance. This you prefer.
means that if you borrow £300 over Your savings are insured and
52 weeks, the total repayment is credit unions comply with all
only £334.06. government financial regulations.
Compare this with Provident Find out more about the Clivey
(doorstep lending) where the rate Credit Union (in the CliveyYouth
is 82 per cent. The total repayable café) at Clive Parade near The
is £546. Moonrakers: Wednesdays 10am
To qualify for a small low cost to 12noon and Saturdays 11am to
loan, you just need to show that 12noon, and also Mondays 10am to
you can save regularly. The loan 11am at Toothill Church.
could be for anything you like: a Volunteers are always needed to
school uniform, a holiday, a special help with collections, so if you have
occasion or a car service. a spare hour which you can give to
Credit Unions are not interested learn about the credit union, call
your to help you gain control of your www.swindoncreditunions.co.uk
in your debt history, and only want 529938 for details.

Free advice in West Swindon
Are you feeling overwhelmed by Christmas spending? Are you wor-
ried about being made redundant? Have your benefits stopped and
do you need help with an appeal?
Sometimes there Richard Stacey, top,
are so many questions and Christian Sweeney,
bearing down that it below, provide sympa-
can make you feel thetic but clear guidance
You still can. helpless. However the on the options available
to you at drop-in ses-
West Swindon Family
Become a specialist foster carer and help a young parent and their Centre offers a free and sions on Wednesdays
and Thursdays, 9.15am
child achieve their potential and face the future with confidence. confidential advice to 10.15am, and 2.15pm
point service which
Call 0845 607 6697 provides information, to 3.45pm.
guidance and repre- Appointments can also
sentation on a range be made during these
For details of our of issues including debt times by calling 871303
For details of our
open days near you and finance manage- or mailing: advice@west-
open days near you
check our website
check our website
F O S T E R I N G ment, benefits issues, swindoncc.org
employment, housing The West Swindon
and family law. Family Centre is located
www.blueskyfostering.com Their friendly and at 15 Gainsborough Way,
approachable advisors Freshbrook.

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