John Lewis Christmas advert
Have you seen this year's John Lewis Christmas advert yet?
Published by Blackpool Fostering on
This year’s John Lewis Christmas advert shines the spotlight on fostering and the incredible role foster carers play in the lives of children and young people.
Our Blackpool fostering team love the heart-warming way that John Lewis are helping to raise the profile of foster care.
The Christmas ad tells the story of a big-hearted man who takes up a certain new hobby a little later in life than you’d expect.
Although he struggles initially, he never gives up – despite the bumps and scrapes. And, after a few weeks, he begins to get the hang of it.
But then, with a ring of the doorbell, it becomes clear what – or who – all his efforts have been for.
The foster couple open the door to reveals their new foster daughter, Ellie, with her social worker. She is nervously clutching her skateboard.
The middle-aged man had been trying to learn how to skate in a bid to be able to bond with Ellie.
It’s what we do that matters most
As the 90 second advert so accurately point out, ‘it’s the things we do that mean the most.’
The emotional Christmas advert has had a huge reaction across the nation since it first aired.
Entitled ‘The Beginner’, the advert was put together with specialist advice from Action for Children and Who Cares? Scotland and is intended to raise awareness of those living in and leaving care over Christmas.
It follows the launch of the Building Happier Futures programme from the John Lewis Partnership, which is a long-term commitment to help young people with experience of the care system with training and employment.
Every day, there are over 70,000 children living with almost 56,000 foster families in the UK. Every 20 minutes another child comes into care needing a foster family.
Data from GOV.UK shows that in 2021, the number of children in the UK that were being looked after by local authorities had risen to 80,850, which is a 1% increase from the year before.
Foster with Blackpool Council
In Blackpool, there is a real need for more foster carers which is why we are asking individuals and families to come forward to find out more about fostering.
Our Blackpool fostering service is looking for a diverse range of fostering families who can provide a safe and loving environment for children and young people.
Foster carers that can look after children and young people with complex needs are a priority but foster carers from all walks of life are needed.
By becoming a foster carer with Blackpool Council, you can make a positive difference to the lives of children and provide them with a safe and loving home.
Our foster carers benefit from a full package of support including a supervising social worker to offer support, enhanced generous allowances, regular support groups, peer mentors for new carers and an out of hours support and advice line.
If you’re feeling inspired and want to find out how you can make a difference to the lives of children in Blackpool, then please get in touch.