Gateshead Council is commending the work of its foster carers by holding a coffee morning in their honour.
The event, which is aimed at both existing carers and potential foster carers, will be held on Friday 16 May at Gateshead Central Library's Caedmon Hall, from 10am to 12noon.
During the event there will be the opportunity to talk to fellow foster carers and to meet with the council's fostering team.
The event is being held during Foster Care Fortnight, which is a UK wide campaign, coordinated by the Fostering Network. The campaign has been created to raise awareness of fostering and to highlight the need for more foster carers.
At present there are 220 children in foster care in Gateshead and 150 foster families. The types of fostering vary from respite care to short term and long-term homes - depending on the needs of children.
Some children may only need an overnight stay in a foster placement whereas others will be unable to return home and may need long-term foster care or adoption.
Gateshead Council also provides Springboard Fostering, which is a specialist treatment foster care programme that finds placements for children with extremely challenging behaviour.
Christine Pearce, fostering manager at Gateshead Council, said:
"We hold a special coffee morning every year to say thank you to our existing foster carers for their continued support and to invite potential carers to find out more about what fostering involves."
The council is also hosting a fostering information event on Thursday 22 May, at Gateshead Civic Centre, from 7pm, which is aimed at anyone wishing to find out more about becoming a foster carer.
For further information on this event or to find out more about becoming a foster carer, please call 0191 433 8333.