Celebrating Kids of Carers in Stoke-on-Trent

This Children of Foster Carers’ Week, PH Production Services is proud to support this year’s Kids of Carers Celebration Day, an initiative very close to our hearts, recognising the incredible young people who help make fostering possible.

Growing up in a household that fosters other children, takes compassion, understanding and a willingness to share your home and family with others. It can sometimes be challenging to adapt, to say goodbye when foster children move on, or to understand the reasons why some children need foster families. Yet through all of this, the birth children of foster carers continue to open their hearts, offering friendship and stability when it matters most.

The Kids of Carers initiative acknowledges this important role. It supports the birth children of foster carers and celebrates the difference they make in helping foster children feel safe, valued and at home.

This year’s Kids of Carers Celebration Day takes place on Saturday 18 October at Dimensions. The event will bring together families from across Stoke-on-Trent for a day of fun activities, games, awards and lunch. It is part of the city’s ongoing effort to highlight the importance of fostering and to thank everyone involved, especially the children who quietly contribute so much.

As one participant, Lauren, explains:

“I think Kids of Carers makes the kids of foster parents feel valued and appreciated. It’s also a good opportunity to speak with other people who understand what it’s like living in a fostering family with fostered children. It’s nice to meet others who are doing the same thing.”

The group provides a safe and friendly space where young people can connect with others who share similar experiences. It allows them to relax, talk and enjoy themselves while knowing they are understood.

Tia, who has been part of Kids of Carers for several years, said:

“I have been part of the Kids of Carers for over 4 years now and I have enjoyed meeting other children that also foster, and everybody is so friendly. I enjoy all the activities and know that there is always somebody I can talk to if I need to. I would encourage all children to come and meet new friends and have a good time with people that understand fostering.”

For those working closely with fostering families, the difference this support makes is clear. The children of foster carers often act as quiet role models, helping new arrivals to settle and offering stability through friendship and understanding.

Marie Plant has been a Fostering Recruitment Officer since 2012, and her passion and dedication have helped transform the lives of countless children and carers. Marie is not just the first point of contact for prospective foster carers, but can often be found at community events, doing outreach work at weekends and out of hours.

Marie said: “The children of foster carers play an incredible role in helping fostered children settle into new homes and feel safe. They show empathy, patience and understanding beyond their years, and the way they open their hearts to others has a lasting impact. We’re so proud of every young person involved in Kids of Carers, and we hope this celebration shows just how much they are valued.”

Marie’s dedication has not gone unnoticed. She has been nominated in the Carer of the Year category of the Your Heroes Awards 2025, recognising her commitment to improving fostering across the city.

This year’s Celebration Day is being supported by PH Production Services, who are proud to help deliver and celebrate the event as part of their ongoing commitment to community projects. The company’s involvement stems from both professional and personal experience within fostering.

Pete Herbert, Director of PH Production Services, understands the value of the initiative on a deeply personal level. He said:

“As a foster carer myself, I see first-hand how important this scheme is. The work that foster carers do is vital, but so too is the support and understanding shown by their own children. Kids of Carers offers those young people a space to be seen and heard, to connect, share experiences and feel appreciated. We’re proud to support an initiative that makes such a genuine difference to families across our city.”

Throughout the year, the Kids of Carers group runs a range of activities such as bowling, crafts and football trips, giving children the chance to build friendships, share experiences and have fun together in a supportive environment.

To learn more about fostering or how you can support children in care, visit https://fostering.stoke.gov.uk

#ChildrenOfFosterCarersWeek 13-18 October 2025.