Exhibition on foster families opens in Tipperary libraries this month

A photo and story exhibition that depicts the everyday lives of Irish foster families in the region opens at Cashel and Tipperary town libraries this month, before moving to Carrick-on-Suir library in July.

A Day In The Life of Foster Families is described by organisers Tusla as “a big family album of one day, of one community – the fostering community - and represents a snapshot of their lives.” The exhibition, which was curated by a team comprising foster carers and Tusla fostering staff from Kilkenny, features pictures and individual fostering stories from foster families and children across TUSLA Carlow Kilkenny, South Tipperary (CKST).

“The A Day In The Life of Foster Families exhibition tells us many things about foster families. They love the sea, sport, baking and animals and, most significantly, they are ordinary families that do an extraordinary thing -caring for children and young people who, for many reasons, need a foster family”, said Kay Fennessy, Tusla Social Work Team Leader and one of the organisers of the exhibition.

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“Every photo in A Day In The Life of Foster Families tells its own story and, as an ensemble, creates a sense of place, and an emotional connection. The adage ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’ is certainly true for this exhibition and we encourage people to come and view it and which may prompt people to consider fostering,” she added.

The photo exhibition is on view at Cashel library from 9-16 June and at Tipperary library from 16-24 June. It moves to Carrick-on-Suir library from 15-21 July.

The events coincide with National Fostering Awareness Month, an essential campaign run by Tusla as the statutory agency for, and experts in, foster care. The campaign, which runs throughout June, raises awareness about the ongoing need for foster carers in communities across Ireland and how rewarding it is to foster a child.

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As the statutory agency for and experts in foster care, Tusla provides, through its community of foster carers, a safe, secure, and stable home environment for children and young people who cannot live with their birth parent(s). Ireland is among the world leaders in foster care, and across Ireland 3,817* foster carers currently open their homes to 5,021* children. Tusla foster carers are an essential component of Tusla’s alternative care system, with 88.4% of children in care living in a foster placement.

Jacqueline Smyth, National Foster Care Lead, Tusla commented, “Fostering Awareness Month is about celebrating our wonderful community of foster carers - their dedication, kindness, and commitment – and spreading awareness about what it means to foster. When you become a Tusla foster carer, you join Irelands largest community of foster carers, a community with decades of experience and staff who have worked in every aspect of the child and family services and who bring this invaluable experience into their fostering work. The first step in the fostering journey is to speak to someone on the Tusla Fostering team to explore if fostering is the right move for you and your family.”

Photo caption: A Day In The Life of Foster Families organisers (l-r): Kaye Fennessy, Social Worker Team Lead, Tusla Fostering Assessment Team; Brid Kiely, Principal Social Worker, Tusla Fostering; Marie Fitzgerald, Social Care Leader, Tusla Fostering; Victoria McGrath Tusla Fostering Business Support.