Last week we held our annual mockingbird celebration event at County Hall, Exeter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The mockingbird model nurtures the relationships between children, young people and foster families supporting them to build a resilient and caring community. Led by a hub home carer and liaison worker, the constellation community offers vital peer support and guidance alongside social activities and sleepovers to strengthen relationships and permanence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the event, families were joined by the Fostering Devon team as well as Richard Jefferies, Cabinet Member for Children\u2019s Services who spent time connecting with families throughout the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This year focused on showcasing \u2018Mockingbird Moments\u2019 \u2013 where our constellations were able to look back on their time in mockingbird. Starting as a pilot project back in 2022, it was powerful to see the impact of five thriving constellations three years on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Children enjoyed a variety of activities including a bouncy castle, giant football darts, arts and crafts, and personalised gifts provided by the mockingbird team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mockingbird Manager, Cathy Dixon said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\u201cIts great to hear children speak so fondly about their Mockingbird Hub, seeing how they are making friendships and feeling part of their wider Mockingbird community. We have had so much positive feedback from carers who have felt that the extra layer of support that Mockingbird brings has helped them develop as foster carers. The new confidence and positivity gained is then extended to other carers within the hub.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Mockingbird concept that \u201cIt takes a village to raise a child\u201d, is enabling support networks to be built, helping to increase family stability and contributing towards recruitment\/retention of much needed foster carers.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n