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
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
–ENDS–
Media Enquiries:
Mark Turner
Marketing Manager GMR Marketing UK
+44 (0) 207 554 1242
mturner@gmrmarketing.com
NOTES TO EDITORS
About GMR Marketing
Founded in 1979, GMR Marketing is an award-winning global engagement marketing agency. We create unforgettable experiences across sports, music, entertainment and lifestyle – helping brands connect with people via their passions. The outcome: true connections that last. Our team of 850+ creates, consults and activates in 70 countries, covering every continent from 17 offices in 10 countries. Many of the world’s best known brands turn to GMR for insights and analytics; consulting and strategic planning; creative ideation and design; digital, social and mobile marketing; event and hospitality production and much more. In 2013, we helped our clients earn honors including Cannes Lions, Webby, Effie and EventTech awards. The agency is headquartered in Milwaukee, WI, USA, and is a part of Diversified Agency Services, a division of Omnicom Group Inc.
www.gmrmarketing.com
About FCA
Foster Care Associates operates 50 offices across the UK, servicing every region in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. Since it was established 20 years ago, Foster Care Associates has placed 30,000 children with families to nurture and support them. In the UK there is a shortage of 10,000 foster carers, and the organisation aims to redress that balance via local events to provide insight and advice for potential carers.
For more information on becoming a foster carer with the FCA, call 0800 023 4561 or visit thefca.co.uk
About Superdream
Superdream are a highly creative full-service agency with a difference, fuelled and backed by data. With over 40 passionate industry experts working with the high level of knowledge and understanding that only their unique in-house analytics arm can provide. A reliable and proven process that produces better creative solutions, more meaningful communications and spectacular results.