In what has been called a "ground-breaking national collaboration", almost 60 councils, including Bury's, have worked together to raise awareness of fostering.

A short film, "Childhood", shared by Foster With Bury, highlights the impact of neglect on children, particularly brothers and sisters who may be left at times to try and care for each other.

It follows "Sophie" and "Charlie", who are in a difficult home situation where their needs are not being met to how they can have a childhood once in the care of a foster family. 

The aim of the film is to find more people who may be interested in becoming foster carers for children and young people across the country who need them.

Rachel Brown, who has been a foster carer recruiter for a number of years, led the national project.

She said: “Sadly, there is an unmet need for foster carers in the country today and there is likely to be an increase in this need.

“The cost of living crisis and other struggles families across the UK are facing creates and escalates difficulties for many.

“Having worked on previous projects we know that these beautifully-crafted films have a real impact.

“With the support of the Council Advertising Network, I am really proud that we will reach even further around the country, a third of all council fostering services in England.

"We’d like to thank every single person involved in what has been a great collaborative experience.

“The aim is that this film will be shared on social media and other platforms, right across the country, reaching many more people and leading them to consider whether the rewarding role of fostering could be an option for them.”

A total of 56 local authorities took part in the project which follows earlier, smaller partnerships between Coventry City Council and other councils.

Together with the film company ReelTwentyFive, they have produced several award-winning films to highlight the need for foster carers.

The most recent, "Out There", was released in October 2021 and is currently shortlisted for a Royal Television Award.

Richard Bailey from ReelTwentyFive said “We absolutely love working on these films, and are so proud of the work we have produced and the awards won for them.

"We feel that this is the best one so far.

“We have built on the knowledge of previous films, and really feel this one captures the simple yet complex messages about childhood and what it should mean."

The premiere of the film was shown on October 13 at the Everyman Mailbox in Birmingham.

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