As part of our A C Mole Community this quarter, we thought we would revisit something close to the hearts of all our staff – CHOCOLATE!   Back in April 2023 we linked up with Fostering in Somerset to provide Easter Eggs for children in care.  So with Christmas approaching we thought we would seek donations from our staff of Christmas Selection Boxes and then donate them all to children in the care of Somerset County Council.

Fostering in Somerset, Somerset Council’s fostering service, make a difference to the lives of vulnerable children and young people in Somerset by providing care for children who are unable to live with their own birth families. They support families and children aged from birth to 16+ from a variety of backgrounds and circumstances: including those in need of short-term and long-term foster care, young people aged 16+ transitioning from care to independent living through the Stepping Stones scheme, children with complex needs through High Need fostering,  Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking children, emergency care, and children with disabilities requiring respite care.

Regardless of common myths and assumptions, foster carers come from all walks of life and can be as diverse as the children and families in their care. With full training and ongoing support provided for carers, including weekly payments and a dedicated Supervising Social Worker, anyone can be a foster carer provided they meet 3 criteria:

  • are aged 21 or over (there is no upper age limit);
  • have a spare room in their home;
  • have no offences against children.

For those interested in becoming a foster carer, Fostering in Somerset recognises that it doesn’t matter who you love, whether you own or rent a property, or even if you have children of your own. What matters most are a person’s qualities, and their ability to commit to providing a safe and supportive home for a vulnerable child or young person who may have experienced trauma.

The role of the foster carer is to provide children and young people unable to live with their birth families with stability, safety and support – on a practical and emotional level. Some children may require more support than others, depending on their experiences and circumstances, which is why the patience, love and understanding of their carers is of the utmost importance.

Every child deserves a safe, loving home with carers who support their wellbeing, helping them grow, thrive, and overcome life’s challenges. Adults play a vital role in making sure the children in their care feel happy, healthy, and have the chance to shine in their own unique way – maybe even as the next generation of accountants in Taunton and beyond!

Amanda Gunter, Partner at A C Mole, said “The ACM Community is about giving back to our local community and giving our staff an opportunity to participate in a meaningful way.  Our staff donated over 70 selection boxes and the firm more than matched that bringing the total to 174 selection boxes.  Everybody loves chocolate at Christmas so hopefully this will bring a little joy to those in care or moving on from care.”

Lead Member for Children and Families at Somerset County Council, Cllr Heather Shearer, said: “We are incredibly grateful to A C Mole for their generosity and for helping us raise awareness of the urgent need for foster carers. Every child deserves a safe, supportive home, and we need more people to come forward to make that happen. If you’ve ever thought about fostering, now is the time to take that step – you could change a child’s life forever.”

If you would like more information on how you could make a difference to the lives of vulnerable children and young people as a foster carer, please visit their website: www.fosteringinsomerset.org.uk.