New fostering film 'The Run' launches to help recruit more foster carers

A powerful new short film, ‘The Run’, has been released by a growing national partnership of councils and children’s trusts – including Brent Council – to shine a light on the urgent need for more foster carers.

‘The Run’ tells the story of Tom, an 11-year-old boy who’s always running – running from danger, from chaos at home, and to school in time for breakfast club because he’s hungry. But it’s also about running as freedom, as talent, and as hope.

Before being fostered, Tom faces the odds stacked against him – he turns up to school in borrowed trainers and without the basics other children take for granted. But he’s fast, determined, and ready to run towards a better future. The film builds to an emotional finish as Tom competes in a school athletics tournament, cheered on by his new foster family.

Councillor Gwen Grahl, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People & Schools, said:
“Every number tells the story of a child like Tom – a young person with dreams, potential and courage, who just needs someone to believe in them. Local authority fostering services are under pressure like never before, with more children needing a safe, stable home and growing competition from private agencies to recruit carers."

"Here in Brent, we’re passionate about giving every child the chance to feel safe, loved and supported. Fostering with Brent means opening your heart and your home to local children – changing their lives and, often, your own. We hope this film moves people to take that first step, to say ‘I could do that’, and to play a life-changing role in a child’s story."

The film’s project director, Rachel Brown, explains:
“This whole project grew out of the constant struggle to recruit foster carers, when you have limited resources. By working as a group – which has grown from 12 to over 90 councils across the country – we’ve found a way to raise our voice and shout.

I say shout quite deliberately - because this is a national emergency. Make no mistake, children’s futures depend on having homes to give them a supportive, nurturing upbringing.

‘The Run’ won’t change things on its own, but we hope that everyone who sees it, will at least pause for thought, hopefully stepping forward to help our most vulnerable children and young people.”

‘The Run’ is the seventh fostering awareness film from award-winning producers ReelTwentyFive, project-managed by CAN Digital and backed by over 90 local authority fostering services nationwide.

Watch ‘The Run’

Find out how you can become a Brent foster carer