With stories from all sorts of people involved in fostering in Reading, welcome to The Brighter Blog. You’ll hear from foster carers, children in care, foster siblings, care leavers and social workers.

Zoomed in picture of cherry blossoms on tree

May 11, 2021

Young people in care share messages about being rooted in Reading

Teenage boy celebrating with headphones on at desk

February 15, 2021

Care Day 2021: Celebrating the achievements of Reading’s young people in care

Teenage girl standing against wall with sun on her face

February 15, 2021

Keeping teenagers, like Jade, rooted in Reading

Teenage mother and baby

January 18, 2021

Parent and child fostering: the practical bits

Mother feeding baby with bottle

January 18, 2021

Parent and child fostering: our foster carer tells you what it’s like

A teenager sitting with a cup of tea with female foster carer

December 1, 2020

“A teenager sends me a message and my heart melts!”

October 17, 2020

Why we need more black foster carers in Reading

October 15, 2020

“As a black foster carer, I may have more understanding of their cultural heritage”

September 15, 2020

Epidsode 3 of our podcast, Care2Listen?

August 11, 2020

Seven books to read if you’re thinking of fostering

July 2, 2020

“We are now looking after a little boy who has complex special needs”

June 19, 2020

We welcome LGBT+ foster carers

May 24, 2020

14 reasons why you should foster

May 23, 2020

What support do I get as a foster carer?

May 22, 2020

Are you an empty nester?

May 21, 2020

Who can foster?

May 20, 2020

Episode 2 of our new podcast

May 19, 2020

“Fostering has been nothing but good for my family”

May 18, 2020

How we support children in care

May 16, 2020

What about my children?

May 15, 2020

Ready to foster? Here’s what happens next…

May 14, 2020

Our foster carers remember their first night of fostering

May 13, 2020

Introducing… our new podcast!

May 7, 2020

“I’m a care leaver, here’s my story”

Female teenager looking out at water

April 29, 2020

“You’re the best mum I’ve ever had”

Foster carer and child hugging and smiling

April 27, 2020

“When the time was right for my own children, I became a foster carer”

Carers smiling with two children

April 24, 2020

“It’s about the little things you can do to make a child feel at home”

Older couple talking over a cup of tea

April 21, 2020

Like many foster carers, Maggie and Mike are “empty nesters”

Teenage girl playing with young child in garden

April 16, 2020

“I’m a foster sibling and I love making a difference”

Carer and child touching noses

April 11, 2020

“I was expecting to be turned away because I was single, but that wasn’t the case at all”

social worker showing badge at front door

April 4, 2020

One of our social workers tells us what they look for in a foster carer