COUNCIL chiefs are backing a regional foster care campaign targeting parents suffering from “empty-nest” syndrome.

The campaign called “You Can Foster” entered its fifth stage this week, focusing on parents in their late 40s and 50s.

The idea behind the North West campaign is to encourage parents in Bury, whose children may have just left for university, to become foster carers.

Cllr Nick Parnell, cabinet member for children and families, said: “I am delighted that Bury Council is part of the “You Can Foster” campaign. It is vitally important that we continue to recruit foster carers in Bury so that children can stay close to their families, friends and schools.

“We are keen to hear from anyone who is interested in becoming a foster carer with Bury Council — all sorts of people make brilliant foster carers with the right training and support, so please, do get in touch.” The project is a collaboration between the region’s 23 local authorities and aims to have a strong digital presence this year.

It will also be advertised on ITV, featuring real-life carers, as well as on social networking sites Facebook and Twitter.

“You Can Foster” campaigners also want to encourage an online discussion about fostering through its Facebook and Twitter presence, with the ultimate goal of recruiting more carers for children in need across the North West.

According to the Fostering Network, the average age of foster carers is now 53 for females and 54 for males, up from 46 and 47 in 2000.

The upward shift in the age of carers could be a result of more people taking early retirement, and longer life expectancy, according to research.

For more information on fostering in Bury visit youcanfoster.org or call 0800 634 7052.

The campaign is also on Twitter at twitter.com/#!/youcanfoster and on Facebook at facebook.com/youcanfosternorthwest.