Foster carers launch hair and skincare packs for Black children in care

Two Leeds foster carers with almost 40 years of combined experience have launched free hair and skincare packs to help fellow carers better support Black and dual-heritage children in care.

Eren Weekes and Marina Active, who are both based in north east Leeds, spent a year researching and sourcing natural products for their ‘Revive’ packs after identifying a need for greater awareness and education around African and Caribbean hair and skin care among children in care.

The packs are now being distributed to families across Leeds with funding from Leeds City Council’s Foster 4 Leeds team, colleagues from Children Looked After and Care Leavers’ Service, and the Leeds Foster Carer Association.

Each pack contains shampoo, conditioner, a satin bonnet or men’s durag, a comb or brush, spray bottle and body butter, alongside guidance and a list of specialist barbers and hairdressers in Leeds.

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, not adequately recognised and using unsuitable products can lead to discomfort, damage and loss of confidence due to their appearance.

“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.”

The initiative is intended to provide practical support while also improving carers’ understanding of the specific characteristics of Afro-textured hair and the cultural importance attached to its care.

Eren said: “We wanted to put something together that was informative and non-judgemental. The packs give some background, history and understanding that our hair type is not the same and we can’t treat it the same.

“Providing appropriate products is not simply about appearance – it’s about dignity, wellbeing, inclusion and cultural respect and supports their self-esteem and sense of identity.”

Demand for the packs has subsequently extended beyond foster families. They are also being provided to children in residential care and kinship carers, while inquiries have been received from neighbouring authorities across the north of England.

Marina, 62, 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 packs were developed as an off-shoot of the pair’s community interest company, Care Leavers Second Chance, which was established last year to provide ongoing advice and support to care leavers across Leeds.

The two carers are also members of the Leeds Black Foster Carer Support Group, which alongside Foster 4 Leeds has organised an upcoming fostering community event, Roots and Routes, as part of October’s Black History Month activities.

The invitation-only event on 10 October will bring together around 250 people from foster families in Leeds and beyond for an afternoon featuring workshops, speakers, storytelling, fashion and music.

Foster 4 Leeds has also been distributing books celebrating Black British stories, identity and culture, donated by Leeds community interest company Out Of Many People, while a Storytime session at the Reginald Centre in Chapeltown will feature Leeds illustrator Salomey Doku reading You Can Do Anything, Tyrone!, written by Sir Lenny Henry.

Leeds City Council currently supports around 1,500 children in care and, in common with the national picture, the city faces an increasing need for foster carers, particularly from diverse backgrounds, to help children remain in family settings close to their communities.

Marina, who currently fosters teenage girls, 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.”

Councillor Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s executive member for children and families, said the initiative demonstrated the contribution of foster carers in supporting children beyond their immediate care needs.

She 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 and help create environments where they really feel seen, valued and respected.”

Hayden also highlighted the need for more foster carers in the city, particularly from diverse ethnic communities.

She said: “I’d urge anyone interested in foster caring to get in touch to see how you could help. There is a range of fostering options to suit all lifestyles – such as weekend or holiday respite for other carers, emergency care as well short and long-term care and kinship care.

“We have a strong community of over 700 carers but we urgently need more loving homes, particularly from diverse ethnic communities, to provide a stable, safe and family environment for children and young people in Leeds.”

The council said no special qualifications are required to become a foster carer. Prospective carers must be over 21, have a spare room and be able to provide a safe, caring home.

Foster 4 Leeds provides emotional, practical and financial support to carers, alongside ongoing training.