Funky Monkeys
We’re the Funky Monkey’s, a support group for children of foster carers for 5 years to 16 years (school years R- 11).
Funky Monkeys gives children the opportunity to meet peers who are also from fostering families and share similar experiences, we meet up and have fun in the holidays.
Fostering involves the whole family and at times children of foster carers need support to deal with the added responsibility of being part of a fostering family.
Sometimes the children of foster carers have questions they need answering or become confused with terminology and do not always want to approach their parents. Funky Monkeys gives these children a chance to have questions answered and become clearer about fostering and why children are looked after.
The sessions are informal and fun creating a relaxed atmosphere, where children feel comfortable speaking. Either on a 1:1 basis; within a group, to a friend or with a member of the team running the session.
We have lots of activities going on throughout the school holidays, below are some examples of what we have done in the past:
- Eggtastic Easter egg hunt and fun: we started of by playing in the park and going for a muddy walk before finishing up with a mammoth Easter egg hunt where the children had to look for chocolate eggs that were well hidden. It was a little muddy, but fun was had by all!
- Summer holidays fun: we had a ball games and fun afternoon, we played football, rugby, badminton, and rounders. Lots of fun was also had with the parachute.
- More summer fun with crazy golf: who can get a hole in one, who can get the ball through the small tunnel and who can avoid the windmill?
- Park BBQ and den building: enjoy a sausage or a burger followed by a walk and nature trail ending up with building dens in the forest, great fun to be had. October event we hold a harvest themed activity, with pumpkin carving, music and fun.
Case Studies
Many people are deterred from fostering as they think that only very particular kinds of people can foster but this simply isn’t true. What we are looking for in BCP from our foster carers is somebody who has the right qualities to give children and young people the secure, caring environment they need.
Who needs fostering?
Just like our foster carers, our children are all ages and from all backgrounds. Around two-fifths of children in care are aged 11 to 15 years. Finding foster carers for teenagers is a key priority for us at BCP Council.
Be a part of our fostering community
Our carers never feel unsupported and have identified that one of the most important aspects to them is a sense of a ‘fostering community’ with a team of experienced professionals and a foster care buddy scheme. If you would like to know more – please call us on 01202 028013 or fill in our online form.