Fostering in the frame at Carlow library
Kaye Fennessy (social worker team leader), Brid Kiely (principal social worker), Marie Fitzgerald (social care leader) and Victoria McGrath (Tusla Fostering Business Support)
A PHOTO and story exhibition that show the everyday lives of Irish foster families in the region opens at Carlow town library this month to mark National Fostering Awareness Month.
‘A day in the life of foster families’ is described by organisers Tusla as “a big family album of one day, of one community – the fostering community – and represents a snapshot of their lives”.
The exhibition, which was curated by a team comprised of foster carers and Tusla fostering staff from Kilkenny and Carlow, features pictures and individual fostering stories from foster families and children across Tusla Carlow Kilkenny, South Tipperary (CKST).
“The exhibition tells us many things about foster families. They love the sea, sport, baking and animals and, most significantly, they are ordinary families that do an extraordinary thing – caring for children and young people who, for many reasons, need a foster family,” said Kay Fennessy, Tusla social work team leader and one of the organisers of the exhibition.
“Every photo in ‘A day in the life of foster families’ tells its own story and, as an ensemble, creates a sense of place and an emotional connection. The adage ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’ is certainly true for this exhibition and we encourage people to come and view it, which may prompt people to consider fostering,” she added.
The photo exhibition is on view at Carlow Library from 26-30 June. An information stand on fostering will be at Carlow Library on 30 June.
The events coincide with National Fostering Awareness Month, an essential campaign run by Tusla as the statutory agency for, and experts in, foster care. The campaign, which runs throughout June, raises awareness about the ongoing need for foster carers in communities across Ireland and how rewarding it is to foster a child.
