Fostering Hampshire Children is working in partnership with Hampshire Cultural Trust to explore the creativity and aspirations of children in care. Hampshire Cultural Trust hosted a series of artist-led workshops in which children of foster families discovered textiles, ceramics, collage and mark-making skills, and produced a collection of artworks to display in a touring exhibition across Hampshire. Entitled ‘Be the Inspiration’, the exhibition intends to highlight the enlightening stories of the children in care and galvanise the residents of Hampshire to consider fostering.
Kayleigh is a foster carer with Fostering Hampshire Children, the fostering service for Hampshire County Council. Kayleigh attended the ‘Textile Fun’ workshop at the Milestones Museum in Basingstoke with four children in her care, two birth children and two foster children. All the children had a fantastic time and loved choosing the materials and chatting about their designs. It was lovely to see their creativity unfold, each drawing on their individual personalities and producing such wonderfully varied artwork.
Kayleigh said: “My 5-year-old girl immediately selected the pink, glittery materials and (with some help) made a ballerina. She was very happy!
“I have a 10-year-old boy in my care. He really struggles with school and is on a part-time timetable, attending just two hours a day. He designed and crafted a footballer with minimal support. He absolutely loved it and sat still for the entire two-hour workshop. It was incredible to watch his attention and creativity.
“His brother made a dragon’s eye. He enjoyed the experience so much, he asked Roz (from ‘Complex Simplicity’) to help him create a neck warmer. Roz happily sat with him for ages, helping him with the stitches and supporting him with the final touches. He now wears the neck warmer to school every day.
“The whole experience was hugely positive for all the children. We had such a lovely time, we immediately booked to go to the ‘Colourful Collage’ workshop at Andover.
“Here, the children worked as a team to create something beautiful using a range of materials. The children were all very excited and had a fabulous time and left the workshop ‘happy, chatty and messy!’”
Kayleigh has been a foster carer with Hampshire County Council for some time and has cared for a number of children. She is immensely proud of the children she has supported, whether it’s helping them to learn to ride a bike or nurturing the relationship they have with their siblings. Kayleigh recalls getting off to a rocky start with a 16-year-old young person who was struggling at school and regularly going missing. She stayed with Kayleigh and her family for two years, and in this time, with the support of Kayleigh and the family, she began to enjoy school and settle into day-to-day activities.
“She is now an adult, studying childcare at collage with the aspiration to work in a nursery setting with small children. Not only that, but she also has her own home and has a young child of her own. She is doing brilliantly, and I am so proud of her achievements.”
Kayleigh is just one of many amazing foster carers supporting the incredible young people in the care of Hampshire County Council. Fostering Hampshire Children is looking for 150 more foster carer households by the end of 2023 to continue to support Hampshire’s most vulnerable children. For more information about becoming a foster carer with Fostering Hampshire Children, please visit the Fostering Hampshire Children website and download an information pack or call the team on 01489 587052 for a chat today.
Venues and dates for the exhibition
Andover Museum & Museum of the Iron Age
29 April to 4 June
Allen Gallery, Alton
10 June to 23 July 2023
Waterlooville Library
31 July to 8 September 2023
Westbury Manor Museum, Fareham
16 September to 29 October 2023
Ringwood Library
7 November to 14 December 2023
Alresford Library
4 January to 8 February 2024
Forest Arts Centre, New Milton
17 February to 27 March 2024