Essex Fostering Agency Secures Third Consecutive Outstanding Ofsted Rating

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.goodnewspost.co.uk/essex-fostering-agency-secures-third-consecutive-outstanding-ofsted-rating/

KWLOT: NEIGHBOURS WORKING TOGETHER

When people think of a library, they largely think of books. But the KW Library of Things (KWLoT), offers tents, sewing machines, mitre saws and more.  

Launched as a partnership with Extend-a-Family Waterloo Region (EAFWR) in 2018 by Wilfrid Laurier University graduate student Devon Fernandes, KWLoT’s catalogue has grown from 350 items to over 1,000 available to its 350 members. 

KWLoT has four membership tiers that offer different options for the number of items that can be checked out and the length of the loan. Annual memberships range from $50 for the base to $500 for the community builder membership, which covers the cost of three base memberships for other community members. 

The library was started as a school project by Fernandes, a community psychology student at Laurier working under Felix Munger in the psychology department. Fernandes was researching other community-based lending libraries and was searching for a host partner when they approached the team at EAFWR. 

EAFWR supports individuals with disabilities and others who face barriers by fostering connection and inclusion throughout the community. Al Mills, executive director at EAFWR, said the organization was a willing partner for the program. 

Mills said the program serves three purposes for the organization; promoting a sharing economy, providing paid and volunteer opportunities for people living with disabilities and leading a mission to be environmental stewards by keeping excess waste out of landfills.  

“For many of our members, we’re giving them access to things that they either don’t have the money to afford; they don’t have a space to store it, or maybe they only need it once a year,” Mills said. 

The KWLoT is managed by paid staff and volunteers, many of whom are supported by EAFWR and its programs. 

While the main benefit to members is reducing the need for multiple people to purchase the same items, Kim Sproul, KWLoT program manager, said that is only part of the program’s role in environmental stewardship. KWLoT offers volunteer-led repair clinics and workshops for people in the community who want to extend the life of an item, from electronics to clothing. 

“We have a local beauty of a human being named Murray Zink who works with the University of Waterloo’s UWRepairHub. He started bringing his volunteers, and you don’t just drop off your items. You sit with them as they repair it, and they’ll talk you through it and ask about the item and what it means to you,” she said. 

KWLoT received a grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation in 2025 to hire additional staff as it expands its catalogue and workshops. Mills said the organization is also looking for environmentally motivated partners who can help support their work to reduce waste. 

As the organization enters its eighth year, Mills said they are still guided by their belief that “we’re better off together.” 

“Our goal is to be a community of belonging. KWLoT is a demonstration project of what it can be like when neighbours work together and share what they have,” Mills said. 

"Paint me like one of your French housecats"

#rescuecats #fostercat #fostering #animalfosters #animalrescue #caturday #catsodon #catstadon

DOG DAYS ARE HERE

On Nov. 14, 2025, I had the honour and pleasure of taking in a foster dog named Charlie. 

I did not make the choice to foster a dog lightly. As someone who grew up with a dog, I knew how much responsibility and time caring for a dog takes.  

I can now confirm that the adage of rescue dogs saving the people that take them in is true.  

Since COVID-19, this seed of loneliness was planted in me, but having Charlie around has helped me regrow my curiosity for life and the great outdoors.  

Charlie is a half German Shephard, half American Dingo. He grew up in Texas and he was left to fend for himself on the streets for about six months before being taken in by a kind lady, who contacted the Dog Rescue Society (DRS). 

The DRS is a foster-based, volunteer-run organization based in Kitchener, and their mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and re-home dogs in need, while creating a supportive community of adopters and fosters. Usually, their foster programs take about three to four months.  

For the first few weeks, he was in what is known as the decompression phase—what he needed most was a quiet, structured and safe place to be.  

I remember our first walk together was around the block outside of my apartment building. He was skittish and anxious, much like me. I felt like maybe I was in over my head, maybe it was too long since I had a dog and I was not equipped to be a good dog parent.  

But when he looked up at me with his hopeful big brown eyes on the elevator ride up to our apartment, I felt like we were in this together.  

For the first few days we were on a strict structured routine of waking up at the same time, eating at the same time and walking at the same time during the day. It was a way to introduce structure to Charlie’s life, especially since his life was turned so completely upside down. The more time has passed the more Charlie’s personality has manifested. He is a confident dog who takes life in stride. Though doubtless he feared me when we first met, he was nothing but cordial to me. He is curious, playful and full of energy for life. All things that a depressed human like me lack sometimes.  

Since the start, we’ve settled into a similar but less rigid routine. Due to some difficulties with mental health issues, having another reason to get out of bed and get some exercise has been a lifesaver. I’m happy I got to help Charlie, and he in turn has helped me quite a lot.  

Charlie is currently up for adoption. If you are interested, check out his profile and others on the DRS website at  thedogrescuesociety.net. 

New campaign urging people in Staffordshire to become foster carers

https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/2026/01/08/new-campaign-urging-people-in-staffordshire-to-become-foster-carers/

BBC News: Parents threatened by authorities as 1,000 adopted children returned to care - BBC News
BBC News - Parents threatened by authorities as 1,000 adopted children returned to care - BBC News
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0kdv1x83gko

This is heartbreaking.

One of my work colleagues is a foster carer with his wife. They're lovely people, but there's been a terrible lack of support from the local authority and social workers at times. Which is so sad considering how many foster carers are needed.
#fostering

Rescue Chihuahua has cutest reaction when foster mom speaks Spanish to him for the first time

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.upworthy.com/rescue-chihuahua-has-cutest-reaction-when-foster-mom-speaks-spanish-to-him-for-the-first-time