Fostering can be life-changing for everyone involved. This powerful message is at the heart of “Everything,” a new film created in collaboration with over 100 local councils, including Sefton.

‘Everything’ is the seventh film produced by a growing collaboration of councils to promote local authority fostering.

‘Everything’ – The Story 

‘Everything’ follows foster carer Mike as he and his family reflect on their journey with two of the children they fostered, Will and Zara, who are now adults. At Mike’s surprise 60th birthday party, Will and Zara express their gratitude, reflecting on how foster care changed their lives.

The film takes viewers back to the 1990s to see how Will first settled into the family, and later to the 2010s, when Mike teaches a young Zara to play the guitar, culminating in a touching performance at the party. Throughout the film, Mike's son Chris highlights the essential role that the children of foster carers play in these relationships.

Lasting Bonds

What many people don’t realise is how often relationships formed through fostering extend far beyond the official caring role. These lasting bonds provide fostered children with lifelong stability and security, well into adulthood.

The concluding message of the film is that what you do with your life could forever change someone else’s, a call to action for people to consider fostering and making that difference.

Lasting impact

Councillor Diane Roscoe, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Care said: “This film beautifully illustrates the lasting impact of fostering, showing how the relationships formed between carers and children often continue well into adulthood.

"The message is clear across all councils: we urgently need more people to step forward and become foster carers. By joining forces to produce this emotionally compelling film, we aim to showcase how life-changing and fulfilling fostering can be.”

"Through ‘Everything,’ we hope to connect with more people in our communities, inspiring them to explore this incredibly rewarding role. We are committed to ensuring that the vulnerable children and young people we care for have the best opportunity to thrive, and for many of them this is with local fostering families."

Chronic shortage of fostering households

Sarah Thomas, Chief Executive of the Fostering Network, said: "It's great to see local authority fostering services pooling resources to produce another amazing film. 'Everything' will help to amplify their message about the chronic shortage of fostering households, encouraging more people to come forward and foster.

"One of the main characters in the film, Chris, shows how important other family members are when it comes to fostering. This is something we champion throughout October, which is Children of Foster Carers Month."

National launch

The national launch of ‘Everything’ was held at the Everyman cinema in Birmingham on 17th October. The film will be showcased in Sefton at the Plaza Community Cinema and will be shown across Sefton’s social media and digital platforms, so keep a lookout and help spread the word by sharing and liking messages.

Become a Foster Carer with Sefton

Sefton Council is committed to offering support to our carers every step of the way. This includes specialist and peer support, training and an excellent financial package. 

Anyone who is thinking about fostering can find out more by speaking to one of the team, either complete our online enquiry form or call our freephone number on 0800 923 2777.