Churches across Plymouth are joining forces with Foster for Plymouth to launch an ambitious new campaign – 26 for 26 – aimed at finding 26 new foster carers in 2026 and providing wraparound support for the children and families involved.
The partnership brings together the Diocese of Plymouth, Transforming Plymouth Together, Churches Together in Plymouth, and Safe Families Home for Good. The initiative will formally launch during Foster Care Fortnight (11–24 May 2026), the UK’s biggest annual fostering awareness campaign.
Right now, more than 520 children and young people are in our care here in Plymouth, yet we have only around 120 fostering households able to support them. As a result, too many children are being placed far from home, away from their schools, family and friends.
By the end of March 2026, 219 children (41 per cent of those in our care), were living outside the city, with 115 placed more than 20 miles from home and one young person located as far as 285 miles away. We are desperately seeking foster families for around 26 children who are living in residential care but could move into a family home if the right local carers were available.
With national and local foster carer numbers declining, more children are being placed far from family, school, friends and familiar surroundings – affecting stability, wellbeing and long-term outcomes.
The 26 for 26 campaign invites church communities across Plymouth to step forward – not only to inspire individuals and families to consider fostering, but also to create practical, relational support around those who do.
Foster carers will be supported through Plymouth City Council’s established package, including weekly allowances, council tax reductions, specialist training, therapeutic support, peer networks and respite options. Church networks will offer additional wraparound support such as practical help, emotional encouragement, meals, prayer, and community connection.
Councillor Jemima Laing, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “We know that children do best when they can stay close to the places and people they know. But at the moment, far too many Plymouth children are being placed miles away from their home city because we simply don’t have enough foster carers locally. That has a huge impact on everything from school stability to mental health to family relationships.
“This partnership with the city’s churches is deeply welcome. Together, we are asking people right across Plymouth to consider whether they could open their home to a child who needs love, safety and belonging. With the right support around them, foster carers can transform a child’s life and there has never been a more important time to step forward.”
James Grier, Bishop of Plymouth, said: “Over the years, I have worked with various young people and adults who for all sorts of different reasons have found themselves as part of the care system. Everyone of them, who has spent time with a foster family, has lit up when they have talked about that family and the difference they made in their lives.
“Every child needs the experience and security of being part of a loving family. I think it is part of our mandate as church to make that a possibility for as many looked after children as possible. Here in Plymouth we would love to find 26 additional foster families for 2026. Hopefully this will just be the beginning of something so precious and transformational.”
The campaign asks people across Plymouth to consider whether 2026 could be the year they explore fostering. Those interested are encouraged to register their interest online and they will be put in touch with a member of the Home for Good ‘Journeying and Family Care’ team. The team have first-hand experience as foster carers and are on hand to answer questions to help interested parties decide what the best next step might look like.
No previous experience is needed – just a spare room, a willingness to learn, and a desire to make a difference. Foster carers come from all walks of life, ages, family types and faith backgrounds.
For more information about the campaign, go to: www.fosterforplymouth.co.uk or www.transformingplymouthtogether/26for26
