Two long-term foster carers in north east Leeds have launched free hair and skincare packs to support fellow carers looking after Black and dual-heritage children in care.
Eren Weekes and Marina Active, who together have nearly 40 years of fostering experience, spent a year researching and sourcing natural products for their 'Revive' packs. The packs are now being delivered to families across Leeds with funding from Leeds City Council's Foster 4 Leeds team, the Children Looked After service, Care Leavers' Service and Leeds Foster Carer Association.
What's in the packs
Each pack contains shampoo, conditioner, a satin bonnet or men's durag, a comb or brush, a spray bottle and body butter, along with detailed guidance notes and a list of specialist barbers and hairdressers in Leeds.
Why the packs were needed
Eren, a grandmother-of-three and former youth work manager at Leeds City Council who moved into foster caring 12 years ago, said young people of African and Caribbean heritage have specific hair and skin care needs that are often overlooked. Using unsuitable products can lead to discomfort, damage and loss of confidence.
"We would often see young people whose hair hadn't been looked after and other carers saying they don't know how to do it properly," Eren said. "We wanted to put something together that was informative and non-judgemental."
She added that providing appropriate products is about "dignity, wellbeing, inclusion and cultural respect" and supports children's self-esteem and sense of identity.
Expansion beyond foster care
Demand for the packs has grown beyond foster children to include those in residential care and kinship carers, with inquiries also coming from neighbouring authorities across the north of England.
Marina, 62, who currently fosters teenage girls, said: "It's an intensive service we're providing and we feel it's necessary. We're delighted they're being so well-received."
The broader context
The packs were created as an off-shoot of the pair's community interest company 'Care Leavers Second Chance', set up last year to provide ongoing advice and support to care leavers across Leeds. They are also members of the Leeds Black Foster Carer Support Group.
Leeds City Council currently supports around 1,500 children in care. The city faces an ever-growing need for more foster carers, particularly from diverse backgrounds, so children can remain in family settings close to their own communities.
Marina said: "Not everyone can foster but I'd say everyone has the potential to foster. I find it very rewarding. There are a lot of positives, because you invest in that young person when they come to you, it doesn't matter what life has thrown at them. You make that investment."
Black History Month events
The Leeds Black Foster Carer Support Group and Foster 4 Leeds have organised an invitation-only event called Roots and Routes on 10 October in celebration of Black History Month. Around 250 people from foster families in Leeds and beyond will attend an afternoon featuring workshops, speakers, storytelling, fashion and music.
A special Storytime session will also take place at the Reginald Centre in Chapeltown from 11am on 10 October, hosted by Leeds illustrator Salomey Doku. The session will feature You Can Do Anything, Tyrone!, a book written by Sir Lenny Henry with illustrations by Doku. The event is also a chance for families interested in fostering to find out more from the Foster 4 Leeds team.
Foster 4 Leeds is also distributing books celebrating Black British stories, identity and culture, donated by Leeds community interest company Out Of Many People, a Child Friendly Leeds ambassador organisation.
Councillor Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council's executive member for children and families, said: "Eren and Marina are a shining example of our incredible legion of foster carers in Leeds who are helping to change lives and ensure children in care grow and thrive. Their 'Revive' packs will make a huge difference to the physical, emotional and cultural wellbeing of Black and dual-heritage children and young people in care."
