Families thinking of fostering children can find out more at a meeting.

As part of Foster Care Fortnight, from May 14 to May 27, Waltham Forest Council is holding an information evening at the town hall tonight from 6:30pm.

David Akinsanya, a broadcaster, journalist and motivational speaker who grew up in care, will be guest speaker.

There will also be a fostering team information bus touring Waltham Forest during the week commencing May 21.

The bus will allow prospective carers to speak with existing foster carers as well as obtain information on the support available for potential foster carers within the borough.

The bus will be at the following locations at the following times:

Tuesday May 22:

Chingford Mount Road, 248 Chingford Mount Road, Chingford London E4 8JL, from 10:00 to 12.00

503 Hale End Rd, Highams Park, E4 9PT from 12.30 to 14.30

25 Winchester Road, Highams Park, E4 9LH from 15.00 to 16.30

Thursday May 24:

East Avenue, Walthamstow, E17 9NG, (by the side of Queen’s Arms) from 10.00 to 12.00

297 High Rd Leyton E10 5QN, (outside Sainsburys Local) from 12.30 to 14.30

Bushwood, Leytonstone, E11 3AY (near junction with Browning Road) from 15.00 to 16.30

Cllr Grace Williams, who is responsible for children and young people, said: “Last year our fostering service changed the lives of 290 children by placing them with foster parents.

“Fostering means you provide an alternative family home in Waltham Forest for children who cannot, for a variety of reasons, live with their own families. This care can be short or long term and makes a real difference to a child’s life.

She added: “The role is a challenging one, but we know that our foster carers find the impact they can make extremely rewarding.”

Marilyn Martin, a local foster carer, said: “I am proud to foster because it makes such an impact, it changes lives and shapes destinies so I’m really proud of what I do.

“With younger children, your role as a foster carer is more around nurturing them. With older children it is a slightly different role, and they can make decisions for themselves and need your support, guidance and someone to listen to them.”

Kevin Williams, chief executive of The Fostering Network, said: “Foster Care Fortnight is a fantastic opportunity for us to say thank you to the foster families of Waltham Forest.

“What these families do is amazing, giving children the chance of having the childhood they deserve, helping them to have high aspirations and enabling them to flourish as they grow.”