Symbolic tree used to help recruit foster carers

A tree planted to symbolise keeping children in care rooted in the communities they come from has been decorated with messages from foster parents and young people.

Reading Fostering held an information event at the tree - planted four years ago - in Reading town centre as staff sought to recruit more people.

Dijana Capan, who works for the agency, said some children have to be placed outside their hometown because of a lack of foster places.

Anyone can foster children from Reading if they have a spare room, are aged over 21 and live within 20 miles of the town.

"Due to the lack of fosters carers in the past and even currently, children end up going out of area which we don't want for them," said Ms Capan.

"We want them to be secure here in Reading so that's what the tree symbolises."

Sinead Gibson, who has fostered for nearly 20 years, said she enjoys the difference she can make.

"I've learned that you can just never predict," she said.

"You might get a description of the child and the child may have loads of difficulties on paper and then when the child comes to you, you're just a fit and it works."

You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.