My Nostell Interview: Julia Mann-Tighe at Fostering2Inspire

TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS…

Fostering2Inspire (F2I), part of the Shaw Trust, is a not-for-profit fostering agency that recruits, assesses, trains and supports foster carers in the Yorkshire region. We work closely with local carers to provide the best possible care, promoting positive outcomes for children and young people. Our team, which was already based in Wakefield, was looking for suitable offices to support recent service delivery changes. We came upon The Nostell Estate, and the rest is history! 

WHAT MAKES THE ESTATE SUITABLE FOR YOUR CLIENTS?

We support potential carers through the assessment process, which can take 4-6 months. Beyond this, we provide ongoing training and support, creating a local Fostering2Inspire community. While much of this is done remotely or online, face-to-face contact is invaluable for relationship building. 

We needed somewhere accessible for our carers and partners, and The Nostell Estate ticks all the boxes. There is plenty of parking, meeting spaces, and an onsite café for refreshments. We can also offer beneficial services like wellbeing walks on the grounds – we’re very much looking forward to getting these up and running.

WHO CAN USE YOUR SERVICES?

We welcome enquiries from any UK resident over the age of twenty-one with a spare bedroom. There is currently a national shortage of foster carers so, we welcome anyone with an interest to get in touch. You can contact us via our website or social media or pop into offices 26/27 in the Rear Walled Garden for an informal chat. There are many different types of foster care (short-term, long-term and respite care, to name a few). There are many different ways to get involved with children of all ages (from pre-birth to 18).

WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS FOR FOSTERING2INSPIRE?

We have another regional office in Somerset. Independently, our aim is to grow the approved foster bases in our respective regions while supporting the objectives of the Shaw Trust. When a carer has been approved, and a child fostered, the journey doesn’t end there. We continue to provide support to foster carers and the children in their care through tailored training––the needs of each family are unique, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. We also run fun seasonal events like pantomime trips and summer parties for the families we support.