Fostering South West · Bristol · Gloucestershire · Swindon · Plymouth · BCP · Wiltshire
Before there was a word for fostering, there was the village. Children in care across the South West need that village today.
In partnership with
The idea
Aunties, neighbours, church families: in our communities, raising a child has never been one person’s job. The Village Covenant brings that tradition to fostering.
Churches, mosques and community groups across the South West are pledging to raise one fostering family from among their members, and to stand around that family once they’re approved. Nobody fosters alone.
Who’s in the village
The covenant is for any group where people already look out for one another. If that’s yours, you’re in the village.
Your congregation already raises children together.
Sign up your church →
Caring for the child in need is part of our faith.
Sign up your mosque →
Seva starts with the children on our doorstep.
Sign up your group →
The best conversations happen in the chair.
Sign up your group →
Elders, families and the next generation, together.
Sign up your group →
Professionals who already work with children and families.
Sign up your group →How the covenant works
Your leader signs the covenant in front of your members, pledging to raise one fostering family from among you. You receive a Covenant Community plaque.
Anyone who comes forward is matched with a companion from their own community, who stays alongside them through every step of the fostering assessment.
Once approved, your congregation or group is there for the family: a welcome, practical help, respite, and connection to faith and culture for the child.
New to fostering? Read how fostering works, who can foster and the support on offer on our Recruit, Retain, Reflect page.
Take the first step
It takes two minutes and there’s no commitment. We’ll be in touch within 2 working days.
Takes two minutes
Foster, mentor or be an ambassador: tell us your name, your area and which community you’re part of. We’ll call you within 2 working days for a relaxed, no-pressure chat, and if you want to go further, give you a warm handover to your local council’s fostering team.
Register your interestFree · Online
Monthly on Microsoft Teams, 12pm to 1pm, from Wednesday 11 November 2026. Ask anything, hear from carers, no pressure.
Scan to open the Village Covenant on a phone, or share it with your church, mosque or group.
Call the BFCA Lifeline on 0800 001 6230, Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm, or email hello@blackfostercarersalliance.co.uk
For faith and community leaders
Will your church, mosque or community pledge to raise one fostering family? Signing takes ten minutes at a service or meeting, and we bring everything: the framed covenant, your Covenant Community plaque, cards and support for your members.
Ten minutes at a service or meeting
Tell us about your church, mosque or group and our outreach team will be in touch within 5 working days to arrange a conversation.
Sign up your communityDownload the community zine (PDF)
Prefer to talk? Call the BFCA Lifeline on 0800 001 6230, Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm
Part of Recruit, Retain, Reflect, Black Foster Carers Alliance with Fostering South West · 0800 001 6230 · hello@blackfostercarersalliance.co.uk
