COULD you give a loving home to unaccompanied asylum-seeking children being resettled in Somerset?

Eight children have arrived in the county so far, fleeing conflict or persecution in countries including Afghanistan and Eritrea.

Five were already in the UK and others were living in camps in Northern Europe.

Like all local authority areas across the country, Somerset is taking part in the resettlement of Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) – young people aged under 18 who are applying for asylum and have no relative or guardian in the country.

With more than 60 more children expected to arrive in Somerset over the next three years, the council is looking for caring, kind and committed foster carers who can take care of them and help them to adjust to life in the UK.

A special fostering information event about fostering asylum seeking children is being held on Monday, January 9, 2017 at Costa Coffee in Taunton (TA1 1JW) from 7pm to 9pm.

There will be a special presentation about the children and the care and support they need.

The children arriving in Somerset are likely to arrive with very few belongings and little grasp of the English language.

Cllr Frances Nicholson, cabinet member for children and families, said: “We know from experience that children in care, whether they are from this country or not, thrive in a family environment in foster care.

“If you have time to give to a young person and space in your home please contact us to find out more about fostering asylum seeking children who are separated from their families. You really can make a difference.

“I hope that people who start fostering one of these children will continue to foster children from all kinds of backgrounds in Somerset.”

Elaine and Ian Koerner, from Yeovil, have been fostering for 37 years and recently started caring for children who have been separated from their family and seeking asylum in the UK, and has recently fostered 19-year-old Yassin.

Elaine said: “After fostering for 37 years I can honestly say that fostering asylum seeking children is a great experience.

“We’ve all gained a lot from being a multi-cultural household.

Yassin is now 19 and he will be staying with us until he is at least 21 – we very much see him as part of our family.”

Yassin said: “Elaine and Ian are really friendly and lovely people.

I feel very lucky to live with them.

“If all foster carers are like Elaine and Ian they will change the lives of young people like me.”

Find out how you can make a difference as a foster carer in Somerset – visit fosteradoptsomerset.org.uk, phone 0800 587 9900, ‘like’ the Fostering in Somerset Facebook page or follow @fostersomerset on Twitter.

You can read Elaine’s blog at fosteradoptsomerset.org.uk.