The love and care that foster parents provide have been celebrated with the ‘Rooted in Reading’ tree.
The cherry blossom tree was planted four years ago on the initiative of a 14-year-old boy who had moved into his permanent home.
It is situated in front of Reading Town Hall, and is decorated with affirmation notes by foster carers and their children.
The affirmations state: “You are loved more than you know”, and “This tree holds hope, and so do you.”
Recently, Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC), Reading Borough Council’s children’s services company, held an information event about fostering to encourage people to look after children.
Anyone can foster children from Reading if they have a spare room, are aged over 21 and live within 20 miles of the town.
The fosterer will then receive support from the council, BFfC, and Local Authority Fostering South East.
You can find out about fostering on the BFfC website.
The tree was planted in February 2020.
At the time, councillor Liz Terry (Labour, Coley) said: “Our focus as a council is to achieve the best possible outcomes for children and young people in Reading.
“While it is not always possible due to individual circumstances, where we can we want children to be fostered in their home town, where they already have put down roots and where they feel secure and settled.
“This new tree is a symbol of that ambition and the council is pleased to have worked with partners to have made it a reality.”
