There’s a heartbreaking situation happening on our doorstep in Plymouth. Across the city, 522 children are in care, but with only 116 in-house fostering households around 41% of these children are placed outside of Plymouth.
Most urgently, there are currently around 26 young people who are waiting in residential settings for a place to call home.
These young need a family and a local community where they can grow and be nurtured.
In response, churches from across Plymouth are coming together with Plymouth City Council under a shared commitment to find, equip and empower 26 new foster carers in 2026.
We’re inviting Christians across Plymouth to consider offering foster care to local children who need a safe, nurturing home. We’re asking the question: Could you open your home through fostering?
We’re not looking for superheroes – just ordinary households willing to make an extraordinary difference.
If you’re over 21 and have a spare room, fostering could be for you.
Get in touch with the Home for Good and Safe Families team to explore whether fostering could be for you. The Journeying and Family Care team have first-hand experience as foster carers and can help answer any questions you have
Churches Unite to Launch '26 for 26' Foster Care Campaign
Churches, charities and Plymouth City Council have come together to launch 26 for 26 – a new city-wide campaign aiming to find and support 26 new foster carers for Plymouth children in 2026.
The initiative, launched following Foster Care Fortnight, brings together Foster for Plymouth, Transforming Plymouth Together, the Diocese of Plymouth, Churches Together in Plymouth and Safe Families Home for Good.
The campaign responds to a growing need across the city. There are currently 522 children in care in Plymouth, with around 26 young people waiting for a foster family able to offer them a loving home.
Partners believe churches can play a significant role in helping more children remain close to their schools, friendships and support networks by encouraging people to explore fostering and by supporting those who step forward.
Speaking at the launch service at St Matts, North Hill, Bishop James Grier encouraged people to consider whether God may be calling them to find out more about fostering.
The partnership will continue to host information events and share stories from foster carers throughout the year, helping households across Plymouth explore whether fostering could be right for them.
