It’s a time to raise awareness, show love, kindness and take action to help our cared for children and young people grow up in a safe, healthy, and nurturing environment.
Together, we can show our children that they are loved, cared for, and AMAZING!
Our theme continues as “What’s Your Superpower?” with lots of activities which will once again shine a spotlight on the creative talents and voices of our young people.
A few highlights from the week:
- We are excited to showcase the ‘Our Voice’ Graffiti Art project at Kendal Town Hall from Monday 7th-Friday 11th July. People can drop in from 10am - 3pm, and be inspired by five vibrant boards, designed, and painted by ‘Our Voice’ members, working with a graffiti artist telling their own story. Discover if we have our very own Cumbrian Banksy!
- When you are out and about in our area, keep your eyes peeled for ‘Pebbles of Love’ where our cared-for children will be painting pebbles and leaving them in different places around the county. If you find one, please take a photo of it and share on Facebook, tagging in Cumbria Fostering and Adoption using the hashtag #LOC. Then leave it where you found it for others to enjoy! You could also make your own Pebbles of Love and share using the hashtag.
- On Tuesday 8 July at Kendal Town Hall, will be our first Family Help Networking event for professionals, organisations and services supporting children and families. This event will help us build stronger partnerships across our Family Help community. Professionals and organisations only please email: Childrens.Improvement.WAF@cumbria.gov.uk
- We will also literally be shining a light on our cared for children and care experienced young people that week, as we light up council buildings across our patch: Kendal, Barrow and Penrith Town Halls will be lit up purple.
- Social Worker Celebration Postcards: Our social work practice across our teams will celebrate the amazing achievements of our children and young people this year.
- We will also be hosting a Celebration Day at the end of the week for children and their carers/ families to enjoy time together and outdoor activities in a lakeside setting, with a BBQ and games.
Mil Vasic, Director of Children’s Services, said:
“Love Our Children Week gives us the opportunity to highlight the unique strengths of our cared for children. Their creativity, resilience and imagination deserve to be seen and celebrated. It’s a joyful week of recognition, fun and inclusion – and a reminder of how much our children can teach us.”
Councillor Janet Battye, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services said:
‘This week will be a celebration of our cared for children and young people, in many different ways. Let’s continue to love, support, and celebrate our cared for and care-experienced children – this week and always. We hope the residents of Westmorland and Furness will show their support and join in with some of the activities planned for the week. I'm going to be on the lookout for the Pebbles of Love !’
#LOC