New Year, New Purpose

9 January 2026

As we welcome a new year, many of us are looking for ways to give back or find a deeper sense of purpose. Could 2026 be the year you become a foster carer?

Across Cumbria, there is an urgent need for foster carers who can provide safe, loving homes for children who cannot live with their birth families.

Fostering is life-changing—not just for the child, but for you too. It offers the chance to make a lasting impact, to give a child stability, and to help them thrive. Yet, many people hesitate because of common myths surrounding fostering. Let’s bust a few!

Many people believe they are ‘disqualified’ from fostering based on outdated stereotypes. You don’t need to be married, you don’t need to own your home, and you certainly don’t need to be a ‘perfect’ person. We need a diverse community of carers because we have a diverse community of children. Whether you are single, over 50, a renter, or part of the LGBTQ+ community, your unique life experience is an asset.

One of the most persistent myths is that health challenges or disabilities are an automatic ‘no’ but Maria and Richard Kenyon’s story is a powerful reminder that this simply isn’t the case.

The couple, from west Cumbria, began their fostering journey 14 years ago when they were asked to care for two young relatives through kinship care. Having gained some much from the experience, a couple of years ago they decided they would like make the move into mainstream fostering but, after Richard was diagnosed with MS, they were concerned that they might not be able to.

Maria explained: “Because of certain myths surrounding fostering, one example being, ‘you can’t foster if you have a disability’, we were nervous about how this would affect our fostering future and hinder our plans.

“After discussions with our supervising social worker, and with Richard’s health regularly monitored, we realised his health condition was not an obstacle, and we have gone on to become mainstream foster carers.”

Maria and Richard’s story shows that fostering is possible for many people—single, married, working, retired, with or without health conditions. With full training, ongoing support, and a strong fostering community, you’ll never be alone on your journey.

The only ‘essential’ requirements are a spare bedroom, a stable environment, and the desire to provide a child with a safe, loving home. If you have the room in your heart and your home, don't let a myth stand in your way.

Make 2026 the year you make a difference!

Attend an upcoming event:

Wherever you are on your fostering journey – just starting to think about it, or ready to take the next step – we’d love you to join us.

Wednesday 28 January – Join our online information event from 6pm to 7pm from the comfort of your home. We will run through a short presentation before answering any questions you may have. To register for our event visit our event booking page.
Friday 30 January – Visit our information stand at Kendal Library on Stricklandgate from 12pm to 2pm. Speak to our friendly team and foster carers and take away some information.
Friday 6 February - Come along to our fostering information drop-in at Costa Coffee, Steelmans Walk in Workington from 12pm to 1pm. Speak to our friendly team and foster carers and take away some information.
Friday 13 February - Come along to our fostering information drop-in at Barrow Library from 12pm to 1pm. Speak to our friendly team and foster carers and take away some information.

Get in touch

If you're thinking about fostering then we'd love to help.