Contributions to local children from Kinship carers in south west London were celebrated in Barnes, Richmond on Wednesday, 9 October at a special event for Kinship Care Week.

Kinship Care Week (7-13 October 2024) is a national awareness week that aims to celebrate the vital role kinship carers play in children's lives and in society.

The charity are family members or friends who "step up" to raise a child or children whose parents are unable to care for them.

There are 141,000 children being raised in kinship care across England and Wales, more than three times the number in unrelated foster care.

Lib Dem Twickenham MP Munira Wilson and Lib Dem Richmond MP Sarah Olney met kinship carers at the event in Barnes and heard their struggles to access the crucial information, advice and support theY need.

The event, held at The Castelnau Centre Project from 10am to 3pm was organised by Kinship Peer Support Leader and kinship carer Anna, 48, from Barnes who arranged for several vital support services to offer kinship carers advice and help.  

Anna, said: "Kinship Care Week is a time for kinship carers to come together and celebrate the important contribution we're making to the lives of children who need us. It's also a chance to access important support and help which is what we've provided today.

"When you step up to raise the child of a relative or friend, you face so many challenges and many kinship families struggle to find the financial, emotional and practical support they need. But the one thing we all have in common is we'd do it all again just to be there every day for the children in our care."

Lib Dem Education spokesperson MP Munira Wilson who is vice chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on kinship care said: "Kinship carers make the selfless decision to look after a child when no one else can.

"Yet every day, kinship carers and the children they look after are being let down by the lack of help available to them. 

"The Liberal Democrats will continue pushing for change such as giving kinship carers the right to paid employment leave and rolling out weekly allowances.

"The government must act quickly to ensure kinship families get the recognition and support they deserve. We cannot afford to wait." 

MP Sarah Onley said: "Kinship carers sacrifice so much to look after their children, so it's hugely important that they are recognised and properly supported." 

"There are 231 children being raised in kinship care in the Richmond Park and Twickenham area.  

Kinship carers who need support can visit kinship.org.uk for free access to advice, information, peer support groups and training.

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