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Celebrating the FAA Summer Programme in Northern Ireland

This summer has been another huge success for the Fostering Attainment and Achievement (FAA) programme in Northern Ireland, with more than 200 children and young people taking part in a wide range of activities designed to build confidence, resilience, and friendships.

From adventurous outdoor challenges to time by the sea, the programme created opportunities for children and young people in foster care to try new things, revisit old favourites, and push themselves further than they thought possible.

One group took to the cliffs for a day of rock climbing, where some familiar faces returned to tackle fresh climbs. With encouragement from Jo and Steve, the young people embraced the challenge, and one boy in a bright hoodie stole the show. 

After being too frightened to abseil last summer, he was determined to try again this year. With patience, courage, and a lot of cheering from his peers, he made it down, beaming with pride at his achievement. Moments like these capture exactly what the FAA programme is all about.

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Over in Portrush, another group rounded off an incredible week with a session of body boarding in the warm summer waves, followed by a visit to the coastal zone.

The young people’s energy and enthusiasm were infectious, and staff described it as one of the best groups they had ever worked with – so much so that it was bittersweet to wave them off at the end of the week. Of course, there was time to celebrate together too, with cake, sweets, and plenty of laughter (as well as a curious earwig who joined the body boarding session!).

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What shines through across the summer is not just the fun and adventure, but the lasting impact. For many young people, FAA is a chance to build new skills, strengthen relationships, and prove to themselves that they can achieve more than they thought possible. For foster carers and staff, it’s a privilege to see those sparks of confidence grow into something even bigger.

The Fostering Attainment and Achievement programme continues to demonstrate how vital it is to provide these opportunities for children and young people in foster care – opportunities to shine, to thrive, and to create memories that will stay with them long after summer ends.

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Fostering Attainment and Achievement Summer Programme 2025

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Fostering Attainment and Achievement Summer Programme 2025

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