(Image: North News & Pictures)
Some of the North East’s most notable landmarks are lighting up this week to honour kinship carers raising children for relatives and family friends.
The display marks Kinship Care Week, running from October 5 to 11, which celebrates grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings and family friends who provide stable homes when parents cannot.
The Tyne Bridge, Gateshead Millennium Bridge, St Mary’s Lighthouse, Newcastle Civic Centre and Penshaw Monument are being lit yellow—the charity Kinship’s signature colour—to highlight the carers’ vital role.
Kinship Ambassador and former Gladiators winner Joe Fishburn (Image: North News & Pictures)
Former BBC Gladiators winner and Kinship ambassador Joe Fishburn, who lives in Newcastle, was raised by his grandmother.
He said: "It was fantastic to be with so many kinship carers to see our bridges lit up for Kinship Care Week.
"As an ambassador for Kinship and having grown up in kinship care, I feel passionate about highlighting how important kinship carers like my gran Christine are.
Entertainment at the event (Image: North News & Pictures)
"Bringing kinship carers together and illuminating some of our most iconic buildings was a brilliant way to put kinship care firmly in the spotlight."
Nearly 10,000 children in the North East are currently being raised by kinship carers.
The landmarks spotlight the often unseen support carers provide and help children stay connected to their families and communities.
Kinship carer Gillian (Image: North News & Pictures)
Volunteers from Kinship peer-support groups organised the displays to reach more carers who need help.
More than 70 kinship carers and their children gathered on Monday, October 5, to watch the Tyne and Gateshead Millennium bridges light up.
A choir, saxophonist and circus entertainers performed, attracting passers-by who stopped to learn about kinship care.
Circus act thrilling the children (Image: North News & Pictures)
Gillian, a kinship carer from Newcastle, said: "I loved every minute of our Kinship Care Week celebration here in Newcastle.
"It’s been a real treat for me and the kids to come along to an evening that’s just for us and others like me.
"To see kinship care recognised so publicly made me feel proud of everything kinship carers do for their children every day.
"It also raises awareness so that more kinship carers know they're not alone and can find the local support and friendships that make such a difference."
Newcastle kinship carer and Kinship National Peer Support Connector Janice Santos helped organise the event.
She said: "Every year for Kinship Care Week I want to make sure the whole of the North East learns about the amazing kinship families in the region who are keeping so many children in loving homes with their families and out of the care system.
"Raising awareness is so important because there are still many kinship carers who don't realise support is available to them.
"If even one family sees this and reaches out to join a local Kinship peer support group, then we've made a real difference."
Read more
Newton Aycliffe family return to hospital where daughter died to donate 102 bunnies
North East girls' football team scores sponsorship from rail operator
Walkers complete challenge as campaign raises £17,649 for Darlington SEND families
Kinship Care Week is backed by Kinship, which runs more than 180 peer-support groups nationwide and offers emotional support, workshops, advice and practical tools.
Lucy Peake, chief executive of Kinship, said: "It's fantastic to see so many iconic buildings light up the night sky this Kinship Care Week to honour kinship carers and the hugely important role they play in our society.
"This year we’re celebrating the unbreakable bonds at the heart of kinship families – and the communities they build to support one another – while highlighting the realities of stepping up to care for a child who has had a difficult start in life."
Find more information about Kinship’s support services at kinship.org.uk.