North east councils join to highlight the need for foster carers as national film launches
Three north east council fostering services are joining together as part of a nationwide campaign to highlight the need for more foster carers in the north east.
'Fostering can make such a positive difference to a child's life' is the powerful message of a new short film produced in collaboration of over 90 council fostering services across the UK including Gateshead Council, Northumberland County Council and Newcastle City Council.
'The Run' is the seventh fostering awareness film produced by award-winning producers ReelTwentyFive, and project managed by CAN Digital. It will premiere at the Everyman cinema in Birmingham on 9 October 2025.
It highlights some of the reasons children may need fostering homes, and the positive impact it can have on all those involved.
The film focuses on Tom, an 11-year-old boy, contrasting his need to run - away from danger, a chaotic home life, to get to school in time for breakfast club because he's hungry - with running as a sport.
Despite the disadvantages Tom faces before being fostered - not even having PE kit for school - he's good at running and the film climaxes with Tom taking part in an athletics tournament, running in a stadium, with the support of his new foster family.
Cllr Catherine Donovan, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People at Gateshead Council said:
"The Run' is a brilliant, emotional film produced on a partnership basis to highlight some of the issues young people may face and how living in a fostering family can support them to have a bright future.
We hope that people who see the film will be inspired to consider fostering as a career or alongside existing work commitments and step forward to help vulnerable children and young people in our region."
Audrey Kingham, Executive Director - Children, Young People and Education at Northumberland Council said:
"The message of the film is loud and clear; there's an urgent need for more foster carers across the country.
In the north east there are over 6000 children in care, and we need more foster carers to join us and make a real difference."
Cath McEvoy Carr, Director of Children and Families at Newcastle City Council said:
"The number of children entering care is increasing and all local authorities need more foster carers to provide safe loving homes.
All council fostering services provide foster carers with excellent support and training to meet their needs and the needs of the children as well as a vast social network of other carers to help every step of their fostering journey."
Local authority fostering services are under pressure like never before as more children need a safe, stable home. This is combined with increased competition from independent fostering agencies to recruit foster carers.
The three north east councils involved in this project are part of regional fostering hub Foster with North East consisting of all 12 north east local authorities, working together to highlight fostering and the need for more carers in the north east.
There are many different types of fostering, not all require a full-time commitment and there are many foster carers who work and also foster. Foster carers come from all walks of life - you can be in a relationship or single, homeowner or rent, and of any sexual orientation. What matters is being able to provide a safe loving environment for a child.
There are children like Tom all over the country. If you feel you want to make a difference to a vulnerable child or young person in the north east talk to your local council fostering services.
To see the film visit Gateshead Council YouTube channel
To enquire about fostering with your local council in the north east visit Foster with North East (opens new window).
Three north east council fostering services are joining together as part of a nationwide campaign to highlight the need for more foster carers in the north east.
'Fostering can make such a positive difference to a child's life' is the powerful message of a new short film produced in collaboration of over 90 council fostering services across the UK including Gateshead Council, Northumberland County Council and Newcastle City Council.
'The Run' is the seventh fostering awareness film produced by award-winning producers ReelTwentyFive, and project managed by CAN Digital. It will premiere at the Everyman cinema in Birmingham on 9 October 2025.
It highlights some of the reasons children may need fostering homes, and the positive impact it can have on all those involved.
The film focuses on Tom, an 11-year-old boy, contrasting his need to run - away from danger, a chaotic home life, to get to school in time for breakfast club because he's hungry - with running as a sport.
Despite the disadvantages Tom faces before being fostered - not even having PE kit for school - he's good at running and the film climaxes with Tom taking part in an athletics tournament, running in a stadium, with the support of his new foster family.
Cllr Catherine Donovan, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People at Gateshead Council said:
"The Run' is a brilliant, emotional film produced on a partnership basis to highlight some of the issues young people may face and how living in a fostering family can support them to have a bright future.
We hope that people who see the film will be inspired to consider fostering as a career or alongside existing work commitments and step forward to help vulnerable children and young people in our region."
Audrey Kingham, Executive Director - Children, Young People and Education at Northumberland Council said:
"The message of the film is loud and clear; there's an urgent need for more foster carers across the country.
In the north east there are over 6000 children in care, and we need more foster carers to join us and make a real difference."
Cath McEvoy Carr, Director of Children and Families at Newcastle City Council said:
"The number of children entering care is increasing and all local authorities need more foster carers to provide safe loving homes.
All council fostering services provide foster carers with excellent support and training to meet their needs and the needs of the children as well as a vast social network of other carers to help every step of their fostering journey."
Local authority fostering services are under pressure like never before as more children need a safe, stable home. This is combined with increased competition from independent fostering agencies to recruit foster carers.
The three north east councils involved in this project are part of regional fostering hub Foster with North East consisting of all 12 north east local authorities, working together to highlight fostering and the need for more carers in the north east.
There are many different types of fostering, not all require a full-time commitment and there are many foster carers who work and also foster. Foster carers come from all walks of life - you can be in a relationship or single, homeowner or rent, and of any sexual orientation. What matters is being able to provide a safe loving environment for a child.
There are children like Tom all over the country. If you feel you want to make a difference to a vulnerable child or young person in the north east talk to your local council fostering services.
To see the film visit Gateshead Council YouTube channel
To enquire about fostering with your local council in the north east visit Foster with North East (opens new window).
