Gardening competition raises awareness of Stockport Council’s Fostering Service

A borough-wide gardening competition has helped to raise awareness of Stockport Council’s Fostering Service and the difference becoming a foster carer can make to the lives of local children and young people.

Pupils from primary schools across Stockport took part by planting and nurturing broad beans and demonstrating the skills needed to help things grow – much like how foster carers help children and young people grow and thrive.

Cllr Colin MacAlister, Stockport Council Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education said:

“Seeing how much effort and care the children have put into growing their beanstalks has been fantastic. This competition highlights an important message — just like these plants, children grow and flourish when they are given love, stability and support, and that’s exactly what our incredible foster carers in Stockport provide every day. This competition has helped raise awareness about fostering across the borough and we’re encouraging local residents to consider becoming foster carers and make a difference to the lives of local children and young people.”

Sarah McHugh, Headteacher at Cale Green Primary School said:

“Our pupils have thoroughly enjoyed taking part in this competition. It’s been a wonderful hands-on way to teach them about responsibility, patience and compassion. They’ve seen first-hand how a nurturing environment helps something grow — a lesson that strongly connects to the vital role foster carers play in supporting children.”

Stockport Council urgently needs more local foster carers to provide loving, safe homes for children and young people in the borough. Businesses can support this mission by registering as Fostering Friendly Employers, and helping to promote and celebrate fostering, and commit to supporting employees who foster. Further information about the scheme can be found on the Foster For Greater Manchester website.