Cambridgeshire County Council has launched a campaign to urge anyone hoping to make a difference to the lives of others this year to consider becoming a foster carer.

There is a demand for carers for hundreds of children and young people of all ages across the county who are unable to live with their birth family.

Lynn, a Cambridgeshire County Council foster carer, said: “We have cared for teenagers who have been through a wide range of experiences. We have often found that they have very low self-esteem and a negative view of their futures. It can be difficult, but we work hard to gain their trust and show them that they can have a positive future to look forward to. We’ve had some great memories from our time as foster carers, particularly when we have been able to give young people in our care the opportunity to experience things many families take for granted.”

Councillor Joan Whitehead, Chair of Cambridgeshire County Council’s Children and Young People’s Committee said: “Our foster carers play a key role in transforming the lives of local children and young people. We need to recruit more carers in Cambridgeshire and we urge people who want to make a difference in 2016 to get in touch and find out more about fostering.”

Cambridgeshire County Council’s fostering service welcomes enquiries from anyone who could find space in their lives to help make a positive difference to children and young people in care.

In England more than 64,000 children live with foster parents, but it’s estimated that this year 9,000 more families are needed.

To request an information pack, please call 0800 052 0078 or visit www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/fostering.