Kinship carers in Slough were celebrated throughout October, with a range of activities taking place during Kinship Care Week (5 to 11 October).
This is a national awareness week that recognises and celebrates kinship families across England and Wales.
Kinship care is when a child is looked after by family, someone close to them or someone who already knows them, and in Slough, these families are supported by Slough Children First.
There are different types of formal and informal kinship care arrangements, including a Special Guardianship Order (SGO). An SGO is a legal order given by a family court that gives an individual parental responsibility for a child or young person, and they will live with them permanently.
When you become a special guardian, the child will live with you until they are 18 years old.
During Kinship Care Week, Slough Children First and Foster with Slough, Slough Children First’s fostering agency, ran a range of activities to celebrate the carers and give them time to relax and socialise.
Events included a Bridgerton-themed High Tea, a pampering and wellbeing session at Slough & Langley College, and a bake sale held at Observatory House. Donations from the bake sale will go to the Kinship Association, helping kinship carers access and enjoy future activities.
One kinship carer said: “It was such a lovely surprise to come to the hall and be treated to the most delicious afternoon tea. Really great to meet up with other Kinship carers and get the chance to chat to you all. Thank you for ensuring Slough’s SGOs have these opportunities and your support; even after 10 years, I still feel part of something that has grown into so much more.”
At the pampering and wellbeing session at Slough & Langley College, students provided hair treatments and styling. The session gave carers an opportunity to take a break from their caring responsibilities, enjoy some well-deserved personal care and focus on their own wellbeing.
At the end of the month, Slough’s kinship families were joined by Slough Children First and Foster with Slough professionals for a fun day.
The fun day, which was held on 27 October at the Thames Valley Adventure Playground, included a canvas and guest speaker Anam Raja, Research Manager from the national Kinship Charity, who spoke about the importance of supporting carers in their role. As it was during Black History Month, carers also celebrated this, with a delicious selection of dishes from diverse cultures.
Debbie Jones, Director of Children’s Services and Chief Executive of Slough Children First, said: “In Slough, our kinship carers ensure the children they know thrive and are happy, safe and loved! They play a vital role in stepping up to support the children they love when their parents are unable to. They do this often without hesitation, ensuring children have a sense of belonging, whatever their circumstances.
Our kinship celebrations were a great opportunity to show our appreciation to our kinship families for what they do each and every day.”
For more information about kinship care or to find out how to get involved, contact kinshipduty@sloughchildrenfirst.co.uk or call 01753 690 960.
