A CREATIVE writing competition aims to encourage a new generation of foster carers.

Inspiring Stories aims to explore the ambitions of thousands of children and young people who are in foster care.

It is hoped that the stories will reveal the real sense of value that carers can instil in the young and help shape lives.

Cllr Nicole Meardon, cabinet member for children and young people at Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “The You Can Foster campaign that the Council is part of focuses on children’s ambitions and their dreams and aspirations.

“This competition will give our children in care and fostering families the chance to share some of their inspirational stories with our residents and people across the region.

“I’m really looking forward to reading some of the entries and I hope that these stories will help to inspire more families to become foster carers in west Cheshire."

The entries, across five age categories, will be judged by a panel of children’s authors and poets including children’s author and screenwriter Frank Cottrell-Boyce, poet Tony Walsh, children’s authors Cathy Cassidy, Livi Michael and Dan Worsley.

Tony Walsh said: “I'm a firm believer that becoming involved in the arts can be not only life enhancing, not just life changing, it can actually be life saving on occasions too.

“It strikes me therefore that as artists and as foster carers, in some ways we're in the same business: that of reaching out and touching people. Enhancing lives, changing lives, saving them, even.

“There are some amazing stories from the many quietly inspirational children and young people in foster care out there and we'd love to read them.

“Find a pen. Write down yours. Share it with pride. Storytelling: it's what we do.”

For more information visit youcanfoster.org/competition