Fostering Enrichment
Every child deserves opportunities to explore new interests, build confidence and create positive memories. Through the Child Friendly Leeds network of more than 800 Ambassadors, we are working with Foster4Leeds to provide free activities, experiences and events that help foster and kinship families connect, thrive and create lasting memories together.
The Challenge
Around 1,500 children and young people in care in Leeds. At the same time, fostering services nationally continue to face significant challenges in recruiting and retaining foster carers.
For Foster4Leeds, it is vital that carers feel valued, supported and connected through a strong offer that goes beyond training alone. Access to enjoyable shared experiences can play an important role in supporting placement stability, strengthening family bonds and reducing social isolation.
Rising living costs have also placed additional pressure on families. For many foster and kinship carers, activities such as theatre visits, days out and family experiences can be difficult to access without additional support. We wanted to ensure that children and young people did not miss out on opportunities simply because of financial barriers.
The Response
To better understand what would make the biggest difference, Child Friendly Leeds launched an enrichment survey with 150 children and young people in care.
The message was clear. Children and young people wanted access to a broad range of activities including:
- Sports and physical activity
- Outdoor adventures
- Theatre and cultural experiences
- Music and entertainment events
- Opportunities to spend quality time with their carers and peers
These insights provided a direct and tangible ask for Child Friendly Leeds Ambassadors, enabling businesses and organisations to respond with offers that reflected the interests and aspirations of children and young people themselves. Alongside this, Foster4Leeds established a Carer Insight Group. This gave carers a platform to share:
- Barriers that prevent attendance at activities
- Ideas for future experiences
- Feedback on existing offers
- Opportunities that would support their own wellbeing alongside the children they care for.
By combining the voices of children, young people and carers, we were able to shape a programme of opportunities that was both meaningful and accessible.
The Impact
The response from Child Friendly Leeds Ambassadors has been exceptional. During 2025/26, Ambassador partnerships provided:
- £80,000+ in donated experiences, tickets and gifts
- 1,110 tickets provided for activities and events
- 1,953 gifts donated during the festive period
- Hundreds of foster and kinship families reached across Leeds.
Beyond the numbers, the programme has created opportunities for children and young people to try new activities, build confidence, form friendships and create positive shared memories with the adults who care for them.
For carers, these experiences have provided valuable opportunities to spend quality time together, connect with other fostering families and feel supported as part of a wider community.
Partnership Spotlight:
Harewood House
A partnership with Harewood House enabled more than 70 foster carers, children and young people to enjoy a magical festive day out together.
The relationship has since developed further through Harewood House's Community Access Pass, allowing foster and kinship families to continue visiting free of charge throughout the year.
King Pins
King Pins has established an annual bowling and pizza experience for care-experienced children and young people.
The events provide an informal and welcoming environment where children, young people and carers can spend time together, connect with other families and simply enjoy having fun.
Thank you for a fantastic morning! We had such good fun playing bowling, eating pizza and catching up with fellow carers. The children had lots of fun and we definitely love attending these events. Thank you so much for organising. Keep up the great work!"
Run for All
Through free places at the Mini and Junior Run, children and young people have been able to take on a new challenge, improve their physical wellbeing and experience the pride of participating in a major city event.
The partnership has also helped raise awareness of fostering, encouraging wider conversations about how local communities can support children in care.
It was fantastic. Kids loved it and it was really good to get such a lovely medal. They have taken their medals into school to show their teachers and friends. Loved the face painting at the start too. Thank you so much for the places.
Looking Ahead
Foster4Leeds has a long-standing commitment to providing enriching opportunities for foster and kinship families. Through continued collaboration with Child Friendly Leeds Ambassadors, we want to build on this success and make even more experiences available across the city.
Children and young people will remain at the heart of this work. By continuing to listen to their views and working alongside carers, we can ensure opportunities reflect what matters most to them.
Together, we can help more children and young people access the experiences that build confidence, raise aspirations and create the sense of belonging every child deserves.
