Shropshire Fostering has launched a new partnership with Shrewsbury Town FC Foundation to provide wellbeing support for both foster carers and the children in their care.

The collaboration offers foster carers free weekly health & fitness sessions at Shrewsbury Town FC's facilities. The sessions are designed for carers of all ages and abilities, to help with their wellbeing as well as provide a further social outlet.

Meanwhile, foster children are benefitting from the Premier League Kicks programme – football and education classes for 8-18 year olds. The initiative, arranged via the Foundation, has already made a meaningful difference, with one young person's relationship with their foster family strengthening through their involvement in the sessions.

The partnership also includes football sessions to support children with a disability and Walking Football for carers, ensuring that wellbeing support is accessible to everyone.

Councillor Sarah Marston, Deputy Portfolio Holder for Social Care at Shropshire Council, said:

"This partnership is about recognising that fostering works best when we support the whole family. Our carers give so much to the children in their care, and it's important they have opportunities to look after their own wellbeing too.

“Seeing our children thrive through activities like Premier League Kicks – building confidence, making friends and nurturing family bonds – shows just how valuable this collaboration is. It's another example of how fostering with Shropshire means you're truly supported."

Andrew Price, Inclusion Manager at Shrewsbury Town FC Foundation, said:

"We're really proud to be working with Shropshire Fostering. Sport has an incredible power to bring people together and improve wellbeing, and that's exactly what we're seeing with both the carers and the young people involved.

“Whether it's the fitness sessions giving ‘Shropshire Fostering’ carers time to focus on themselves, or the children building skills and relationships through football, it's brilliant to play a part in supporting local families who are doing such important work in our community."

As a not-for-profit fostering service backed by Shropshire Council, Shropshire Fostering is committed to providing comprehensive support to foster families. The partnership with Shrewsbury Town FC Foundation represents another unique benefit of fostering locally, keeping Shropshire children in Shropshire with access to community resources and activities.

Anyone interested in learning more about fostering in Shropshire for their local authority can visit www.shropshirefostering.co.uk