Leeds foster carers get to the root of better support for children in care with Afro-textured hair

Friends Eren Weekes and Marina Active – both long-term foster carers of nearly 40 years combined – saw a need for improved awareness and education around looking after African and Caribbean hair and skin among children in care across the city.

The duo, from north east Leeds, spent a year researching and sourcing natural products to put into their ‘Revive’ packs which are now being delivered to families in Leeds, with funding from Leeds City Council’s Foster 4 Leeds team as well as colleagues from Children Looked After, Care Leavers’ Service and Leeds Foster Carer Association (LFCA).

The packs contain shampoo, conditioner, a satin bonnet or men’s durag, comb or brush, spray bottle and body butter along with detailed guidance and a list of specialist barbers and hairdressers in Leeds.

Eren, a grandmother-of-three and former youth work manager at Leeds City Council who moved into foster caring 12 years ago, said: “Young people of African and Caribbean heritage have specific hair and skin care needs that are often overlooked, not adequately recognised and using unsuitable products can lead to discomfort, damage and loss of confidence due to their appearance.

“We would often see young people whose hair hadn’t been looked after and other carers saying they don’t know how to do it properly.

“We wanted to put something together that was informative and non-judgemental. The packs give some background, history and understanding that our hair type is not the same and we can’t treat it the same.

“Providing appropriate products is not simply about appearance – it’s about dignity, wellbeing, inclusion and cultural respect and supports their self-esteem and sense of identity.”

As word and demand has spread, the packs are now not only being given to foster children but also those in residential care and kinship carers – with inquiries also coming from neighbouring authorities across the north of England.

Marina, 62, added: “It’s an intensive service we’re providing and we feel it’s necessary. We’re delighted they’re being so well-received.”

The packs were created as an off-shoot of the pair’s community interest company ‘Care Leavers Second Chance’, set up last year to provide ongoing advice and support to care leavers across Leeds.

They are also members of the Leeds Black Foster Carer Support Group which, together with Foster 4 Leeds, has organised an upcoming fostering community event called Roots and Routes, in celebration of October’s annual Black History Month.

The invitation-only event will be held on October 10, when around 250 people from foster families in Leeds and beyond will join in an afternoon of culture and fun, featuring workshops, speakers, storytelling, fashion and music.

It is among several activities organised by Foster 4 Leeds to coincide with Black History Month, which honours the rich heritage, achievements and contributions of the Black community.

The service has been distributing books celebrating Black British stories, identity and culture, which have been generously donated by Leeds community interest company Out Of Many People, a Child Friendly Leeds ambassador organisation.

A special Storytime session will also take place at the Reginald Centre in Chapeltown from 11am on October 10 hosted by Leeds illustrator Salomey Doku who will take families through You Can Do Anything, Tyrone!, a book written by Sir Lenny Henry for which she provided the illustrations.

The Storytime event is also a chance for families interested in fostering to find out more about the role from the Foster 4 Leeds team.

Leeds City Council currently supports around 1,500 children in care but as is the case nationally, the city faces an ever-growing need for more foster carers – particularly from diverse backgrounds, so children can remain in family settings, close to their own communities.

Marina, who currently fosters teenage girls, said: “Not everyone can foster but I’d say everyone has the potential to foster. I find it very rewarding. There are a lot of positives, because you invest in that young person when they come to you, it doesn’t matter what life has thrown at them. You make that investment.”

Councillor Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s executive member for children and families, said: “Eren and Marina are a shining example of our incredible legion of foster carers in Leeds who are helping to change lives and ensure children in care grow and thrive.

“Their ‘Revive’ packs will make a huge difference to the physical, emotional and cultural wellbeing of Black and dual-heritage children and young people in care and help create environments where they really feel seen, valued and respected.

“I’d urge anyone interested in foster caring to get in touch to see how you could help. There is a range of fostering options to suit all lifestyles – such as weekend or holiday respite for other carers, emergency care as well short and long-term care and kinship care.

“We have a strong community of over 700 carers but we urgently need more loving homes, particularly from diverse ethnic communities, to provide a stable, safe and family environment for children and young people in Leeds.”

No special qualifications are needed to be a foster carer. Prospective carers just need to be over 21, have a spare room and can offer a safe, caring home.

Foster 4 Leeds offers carers emotional, practical and financial support as well as ongoing training.

For more information on fostering in Leeds, visit https://foster4.leeds.gov.uk/.

To book a place at the Storytime session at the Reginald Centre visit https://www.ticketsource.com/leedslibraryevents/foster-4-leeds-storytime-with-salomey-doku/e-bpgzda

ENDS

 

For media enquiries please contact:

Leeds City Council communications and marketing,

Email: communicationsteam@leeds.gov.uk

Tel: 0113 378 6007