News

Lots to talk about in this month’s Newsletter!

We have (scroll or click on the link to jump to a topic):

• Respite vs Sleepover

• Taking a Break

• South Quadrant Forum - 18th September

• Sleep therapist update

• Fundraising - Help us to help you

This is everyone’s News so let’s get started!

Do you know there is a Facebook group specifically for Essex Foster Carers? It is a closed and private group that you must be invited to join. It is a brilliant platform for asking questions and meeting like-minded people. If you wish to join, just send us an email with a name of another foster carer who can verify you to info@essexfca.org.

Remember we are here for you, if you need the EFCA for questions, queries, problems or just need a chat! Find us on the Facebook page or email info@essexfca.org

Your quadrant EFCA representatives are:

Sue Bell (North) suebell@essexfca.org
Amanda Stevens (South) treasurer@essexfca.org
Cheryl Cousins (Mid)  cherylcousins@essexfca.org
Lucy Tanner (West) lucy.tanner@essexfca.org

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Respite vs Sleepover

It seems things are hotting up with Foster Carers being told that they can not do respite in a room that is used for something else (such as an office or a son or daughters bedroom with permission from the children) yet only a few months a go an email went out saying that Essex would supply a put-you-up bed if you would consider a living room. We are meeting with Essex in September to discuss the Respite Policy.... watch this space folks!

Back to top

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Taking a Break

I wanted to write about taking a holiday and the benefits of having a break and dip into compassion fatigue - how it is affecting us all, but as I write this our Lovely Facebook page is talking about how Essex are having difficulty finding respite so that you can go on holiday. especially Carers who look after children with disabilities. Its good to see that people are coming up with some ideas, and we hope to take these to the next Fostering Board.

Back to top

________________________________________________________________________________________________

South Quadrant Forum - 18th September

The EFCA - are coming along to the South Quadrant Forum on the 18th September we have had a few queries come through from the Facebook page and will put these on the agenda. 
 

1. Getting expenses paid in a timely fashion
2. Trying to get LAC items moved when a child moves on
3. Training - unavailable or too far away. 
4. Emails - 'round robin' and implications of sharing private emails

Back to top

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Sleep therapist update

For those of you who attended our AGM back in June. Essex Training (ESCA) have expressed an interest in getting Kathryn Dowling to provide some training to help with Sleep. Given that at some point we can all have problems, it looks like we are heading in the right direction! Once I know what is happening I will let you know!

Back to top

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Help us to help you - Fundraising - Karen Reynolds

Here are this month's fundraising activities

• Help us by using Gift Aid whenever you make a donation: GiftAid.pdf
• Essex Lottery
• Adventure Island tickets : Email grantandgift@essexfca.org
• Giving Lottery :  https://www.givinglottery.org.uk/support/essex-foster-carers-association

Gift Aid

Have you or your partner made a donation (including Gofundme) to EFCA in the past four years?  If you have and you have paid tax, please complete the Gift Aid Form at the link GiftAid.pdf, as EFCA are able to boost your donation by 25p for every £1 you donated.  Once you have completed the form, just return it to grantandgift@essexfca.org.

It's going to be pretty difficult to remember how much you donated in the past 4 years, so please estimate an amount.

Back to fundraising  Back to top

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Essex Lottery

Join the Essex Lottery and support EFCA at https://www.essexlottery.co.uk/support/essex-foster-carers-association

Back to fundraising  Back to top

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Adventure Island - Southend on Sea

To get your tickets please contact grantandgift@essexfca.org

To get your tickets please contact grantandgift@essexfca.org

Back to fundraising  Back to top

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Giving Lottery

Join the Giving Lottery and support EFCA using this link: https://www.givinglottery.org.uk/support/essex-foster-carers-association

Back to fundraising  Back to top