The new John Lewis Christmas advert graced our screens for the first time this week, and rather than cooing over a cute animal or feeling sorry for a CGI dragon, the emotions we’re feeling are hitting very close to home. John Lewis have partnered with Action for Children and Who Cares? Scotland to help raise awareness for children in care, and the message lands perfectly.
The advert focuses on a normal man who is trying, and failing, to learn how to skateboard. But John Lewis aren’t urging us to buy everyone skateboards for Christmas. Instead, it’s revealed the reason he’s taken up this new hobby is because he and his wife are welcoming their first foster child into their home who loves to skate. It’s a selfless act, demonstrating the lengths foster parents go to in order to make vulnerable children feel at home during what is often a very difficult time in their life.
Titled ‘The Beginner’, the advert is part of John Lewis Partnership’s initiative to become the largest employer of people formerly in care. Their Building Happier Futures programme aims to help change the lifestyle patterns of care leavers and give young people the same opportunities as everyone else. Hopefully, this new advert will inspire people to consider fostering as a career.
There are over 108,000 children in care in the UK, with around 30,000 new children entering the care system each year.
Unfortunately, there aren’t enough foster families to support the amount of children that desperately need a home. No child should be without family for Christmas or any other time of year. That’s why we need people who are committed to transforming the lives of young people to offer up their hearts and homes and become a foster parent.
The role of a foster parent is challenging, but it’s one of the most rewarding jobs out there. When you foster a child, you get to:
- Give stability and security to a child in need
- Show what it means to be in a loving family
- Make a difference that lasts a lifetime
- Develop lifelong, meaningful bonds
- Learn new skills such as managing behaviour or fostering a child with autism
- Help a child heal from their past trauma and learn how to manage emotions
- Steer vulnerable children in the right direction
- Gain a huge network of support from the fostering community
Welcoming your first foster child into your home
Unlike the dad in the John Lewis advert, you don’t have to break your arm trying to do a half-pipe. At Orange Grove, we know how important it is to make a child feel at home right from the very start. That’s why we’ll gather as much information as we can about the young person to help make the transition into your home a smooth one. From painting their bedroom in their favourite colour, to stocking up the cupboards with their favourite food, you can help ensure your first foster child settles in quickly. Small acts of kindness and taking small steps one day at a time can make the biggest impact to a foster child’s life. And this could be you.
If you think you could foster a child or want to learn more about what’s involved, please get in touch today. There are thousands of children who urgently need a home to go to, and yours could be the perfect one.
Ready to start your fostering journey?
By phone
One of our team is available to talk to you over the phone to answer any of your fostering queries.
Enquire online
You can get in touch by filling out our online enquiry form with any queries that you may have.
Your local office
We have local teams covering most of England. Find your local office today.
