100 Swims for Portsmouth 100 and Foster Portsmouth

One of Foster Portsmouth’s social workers completed a significant challenge in completing 100 sea swims in 100 consecutive days, all to celebrate foster carers and raise awareness of the urgent need for more people to come forward.

Social worker John Hillage completed a sea swim every day for 100 days.

The challenge, which splashed off on New Year’s Day, was to, “celebrate foster carers and raise awareness of the ongoing need to recruit more”.

John, from Portsmouth City Council’s foster carer recruitment team, has been an avid outdoor swimmer since 2009. He finds the experience to be very positive for his mental health and wellbeing.

John completed his swims in the sea at Southsea. He admits that some days the cold temperature made it very challenging and it was a very quick dip!

He had to contend with some frost, heavy rain, wind and storm Goretti.

John shared, “I swim frequently throughout the year, but this 100-swim challenge meant I had to get down to the beach whatever the weather!”

However, John sported his trusty ‘Foster Portsmouth’ branded beanie hat to help him warm up whilst raising much needed awareness. He also enjoyed a well-deserved hot drink afterwards, and then a brisk cycle ride home.

Foster Portsmouth, Portsmouth City Council’s fostering service, urgently needs more foster carers for the children and young people from Portsmouth who find themselves in need of a loving home.

John added, “One place where there’s been a lot of warmth is the people around me. I know a variety of people who swim at Southsea Beach, and they have all been getting behind me.”

Although one Monday the weather was particularly stormy, John braved yet another trip to the beach to continue his pledge, “The rain and wind left it very deserted, but one friend travelled from North End on the bus at 7am just to check in on me, which was just such a nice thing to do. The next day was also awful, yet three local swimmers came to keep an eye out.”

“In the spirit of full disclosure, I did not fully swim those days due to safety reasons, but I did splash about in the surf under the watchful gaze of friends."

There are many types of fostering and everyone will be able to find one that’s the right fit for them. This could be a short or long-term arrangement for a child or siblings until they’re ready to live independently or be reunited with family, support for children with a disability or children seeking safety and asylum, Supported Lodgings to develop their independent living skills, a parent and baby arrangement, or respite care.

Anyone aged 21+ with a spare bedroom could foster with Foster Portsmouth regardless of their age, gender, faith, ethnicity, sexuality, marital or work status, or whether they rent or own their own home.

Foster Portsmouth offer foster carers competitive fees and allowances for each child in their care, a bespoke training programme and 24/7 support, access to our mentoring scheme and the award-winning Mockingbird model of care, discounts and benefits, social activities, and free membership to The Fostering Network.

To enquire about fostering with Foster Portsmouth, or to arrange a 1:1 with one of our experienced team or existing foster carers, please contact us.