Swindon Borough Council unveils holiday caravan for Swindon's foster families

Last week Swindon Borough Council and Cotswold Water Park officially cut the ribbon on new caravan to help support foster families in Swindon.

The caravan, which was bought by Swindon Borough Council's fostering services for just over £80,000, is designed to offer foster families short-term holidays in Hoburne Cotswold.

The caravan will be available to use all year round and will allow foster parents and their children to use all the facilities at Hoburne Cotswold which include swimming pools, a restaurant, archery range, club house and seasonal events.

The caravan was officially unveiled by by Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and School Attainment and chair of the Council’s Corporate Parenting Board, Cllr Fionuala Foley. Cllr Foley was joined at the unveiling by the Council’s Director of Children’s Services, David Haley.

Speaking before the event, Cllr Foley said: “I am thrilled that the Council has been able to buy this new caravan because it will continue to provide a peaceful and tranquil setting for our foster families when they need a break, allowing them to spend some real quality time with their children.

“David Haley and I had the pleasure of meeting some of the young people who are placed with foster families at the Corporate Parenting Board and they spoke so well about how the caravan gives them the chance to spend time and have a sleep over with their siblings who maybe don’t live in the same foster placement.

“I promised them I would do my best to secure this caravan for them and I’m so pleased we have managed to deliver it.

“The fact the caravan is located so close to Swindon in the Cotswold Water Park makes it an ideal location for our families and I know that they are delighted that the caravan has been replaced and the provision will continue.

“The new caravan is fully equipped with gas central heating and, unlike the old caravan, can be enjoyed all year round. The facilities, location and amenities of the park provide excellent opportunities for quality family time and will be hugely beneficial to both foster carers and their children.”