From 12–25 May, the fostering community came together to celebrate something truly special: The Power of Relationships. Foster Care Fortnight 2025 was all about shining a light on the incredible work foster carers do across the UK, raising awareness, supporting recruitment and retention, and celebrating the bonds that change lives.
We’ve taken a moment to look back and reflect on what made this year’s campaign so powerful.
There was a big buzz on social media. We saw over 244,000 impressions- that’s a 26% jump from last year - with fantastic engagement across Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Celebrity supporters like Kiri Pritchard-McLean, Fatima Whitbread, and Gemma Oaten helped us spread the word, but what really stood out were the real stories from foster carers and their families. It was heartwarming to see so many people share their experiences and the unique ways they interpreted this year’s theme.
Events played a big part too. We’re incredibly grateful to John Lewis for hosting a series of lunches and coffee mornings across the UK. These gatherings gave foster carers the chance to connect with each other- and with some important guests! Children’s Minister Janet Daby joined the event in London, while Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney joined the coffee morning in Edinburgh.
In a first for Foster Care Fortnight, more than 100 families came together for a fun-filled day at the Glasgow Science Centre. Over in Wales, we launched our State of the Nations’ Spotlight Report with a special event featuring Children’s Minister Dawn Bowden. And in Northern Ireland, carers and care-experienced young people led a moving launch event in Lisburn, where a heartfelt message from Health Minister Mike Nesbitt was shared.
We were also thrilled with the media response - 678 pieces of coverage across outlets like BBC News, ITV, and The House Magazine helped us reach an even wider audience. For the first time ever, ministers from all four UK nations publicly backed the campaign, and 17 MPs took to social media to show their support.
But beyond the numbers, what truly made this campaign shine was its emotional impact. From the powerful messages posted online to the small gestures of kindness -like the peace lilies given to carers - it was clear that Foster Care Fortnight wasn’t just about awareness. It was a heartfelt celebration of the relationships that lie at the heart of fostering.
To everyone who took part, shared their story, attended an event, or supported the campaign in any way - thank you. You helped make Foster Care Fortnight 2025 something really special.
We’re already excited to get started on plans for 2026. Let’s keep celebrating the power of relationships - because together, we can make a lasting difference.
