Fostering Films

Fostering can mean everything to those involved. That is the message of a powerful new fostering film “Everything”.

‘Everything’ is the seventh film produced by a growing partnership of councils and children’s trusts to promote local authority fostering. Wolverhampton were one of twelve local authorities involved in this project since the very first film was released in 2017. The ‘Everything’ project is the largest collaboration yet, with now 100 local authorities coming together this year.

‘Everything’ follows foster carer Mike and his family on a journey through time with two of the children they have looked after, who are now adults. A surprise 60th birthday party for Mike gives Will and Zara a chance to reflect on how being fostered made a difference to their lives, thanking him for everything.

Thanks to footage shot on a genuine old camcorder, we are taken to the 1990s, to see how Will settles into the family. We also jump back to the 2010s, when a young Zara is being taught to play the guitar by Mike, something that comes full circle when she performs a song at the party. Mike’s son Chris is involved throughout, showing the important role the children of foster carers play.

The concluding message of the film is that what you do with your life could forever change someone else’s – encouraging people to foster in order to make that change.

The film was developed with the input and insight of foster parents and people with care experience, was produced by Reel TwentyFive and project managed by public sector media partner CAN/Rachel Brown.

'Any of us' film

The short film is called "Any of Us… because it really can be" – that's the message of a powerful new fostering film, that anyone can foster a child or young person if they have the capacity to care.

'Out there' film

The short film, called ‘Out there’, highlights the ways fostering can make a difference to the lives of everyone involved, from the children and young people who live with foster parents, to those who come forward to care for them.

'Childhood' film

The film shows the journey of ‘Sophie’ and ‘Charlie’ who are in a very difficult home situation, where their needs are not being met. It highlights the difference a foster parent can make to ensure they are cared for and allowed to have a “childhood”.

'Truth be told' film

The five minute film 'Truth be told', was launched by 15 local authorities across the West and East Midlands and looks at the true stories of two sets of children and their foster parents. The film briefly but honestly captures the highs and lows of fostering.

'There was a boy' film

'There was a boy' conveys that despite any preconceptions about young people, with love and guidance a life can be changed for the better. It shows how foster care can impact on a boy’s future and literally change a life and how rewarding that can be for the foster parent knowing that they have made a difference.