GMR Marketing and Superdream combine for Foster Care Associates’ event programme

The number of looked after children has increased steadily over the past five years, however there are still not enough foster carers in the UK meaning many young children are staying in care. To address the issue, the UK’s leading foster care provider Foster Care Associates (FCA), creative solutions agency Superdream and sponsorship and experiential experts GMR Marketing have teamed up to create an event programme that will attract new foster carers across the South of England.

The Magical Memories Tour began on 11 October in Southampton and will cover 17 towns in just 24 days. The tour will take residents back in time with a treasure trove of toys from the 1970s and 1980s to evoke memories of their happy childhood. It is trying to use the metaphor that many kids do not have the memories they deserve to encourage people to consider fostering.

Stephan Hartung, registered manager for the South of England at FCA explains: “There are many children and young people in the South of England who would benefit from the opportunity of being cared for in a family setting. This road trip event is designed to make people think about their own childhood experiences and how, by becoming foster carers, they can help cared for children and young people in our area to grow up in a positive and nurturing environment.

“Fostering is an incredibly rewarding experience, and there are many factors that make up an ideal candidate – everything from being adaptable, resilient and nurturing to being a good listener and having a flexible response to a young person’s needs.

“We are looking for foster carers from diverse backgrounds that can look after individuals or sibling groups. In return, carers receive excellent conditions including support and training from their local FCA office as well as 24/7 access to our dedicated out of hours service of skilled and committed staff and access to existing foster carer mentors in the region.”

Cathy Ricketts, head of client services at GMR Marketing UK commented: “We are thrilled to be able to assist FCA in recruiting new foster carers. In collaboration with FCA, we have created an event that will educate residents about fostering and the FCA and ultimately inspire them to become foster carers themselves.

“Fostering is not an overnight decision but can be an extremely rewarding and pleasurable lifestyle. We are confident that the magical memories will encourage adults to provide children with the same opportunities they had growing up.”

With Superdream’s creative development, co-ordination of PR and supporting online and social media activity, combined with GMR Marketing’s production, logistics on the ground team, the tour is set to help reduce the deficit of foster carers in the UK.

Magical Memories Tour dates

Date	Location	Time
11th October 2014	Bargate Market, Southampton	9am – 4.30pm
12th October 2014	Commercial Road, Portsmouth	9am – 4.30pm
14th October 2014	Asda, Havant	12 noon – 6pm
16th October 2014	Birdworld, Farnham	10am – 5pm
17th October 2014	Wolsey Place, Woking, Surrey	9.30am – 6.30
18th October 2014	Festival Place, Basingstoke	9am – 6pm
19th October 2014	Worthing Sea Front 10k run	9.45am – 1.30pm
23rd October 2014	Churchill Square, Brighton	9am – 8pm
24th October 2014	County Mall, Crawley	9am – 6pm
25th October 2014	Beachy Head Marathon, Eastbourne	6.30am – 6pm
26th October 2014	Great South Run, Portsmouth	8.30am – 3.30pm
27th October 2014	Chessington World of Adventures	10am – 8pm
28th October 2014	ASDA, Eastleigh	12 noon – 6pm
29th October 2014	Taste of Winchester, Winchester City Market	9am – 4.30pm
30th October 2014	Paulton’s Park, Romsey	10.30am – 4.30pm
31st October 2014	West Quay, Southampton	9am – 8pm
1st November 2014	Fareham Farmers’ Market, Fareham	9am – 2pm
2nd November 2014	ASDA, Fareham	12 noon – 6pm
5th November 2014	ASDA, Poole	12 noon – 6pm
6th November 2014	ASDA, Bournemouth	12 noon – 6pm
7th November 2014	The Square, Bournemouth town centre	9am – 5.30pm
8th November 2014	Wimbourne in Bloom Charities Fair, Wimbourne	10am – 3pm
13th November 2014	ASDA, Brighton	12 noon – 6pm
15th November 2014	Brighton Christmas Gift Fair	10am – 5pm

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