Leeds foster carers create free packs to support children with Afro-textured hair
““Providing appropriate products is not simply about appearance –it supports their self-esteem and sense of identity.”
Two Leeds friends have launched free hair and skincare packs to help foster carers better support Black and dual-heritage children in care.
Long-term foster carers Eren Weekes and Marina Active created the ‘Revive’ packs to improve awareness and education around how to look after African and Caribbean hair and skin.
After a year of research, the packs are now being delivered to families in Leeds with funding from Leeds City Council’s Foster 4 Leeds team as well as colleagues from Children Looked After, Care Leavers’ Service and Leeds Foster Carer Association (LFCA).
Each Revive pack contains shampoo, conditioner, a satin bonnet or men’s durag, comb or brush, spray bottle and body butter along with detailed guidance and a list of specialist barbers and hairdressers in Leeds.
After starting foster caring 12 years ago, Eren said the pair were inspired to create the packs after seeing carers not know how to look after different hair types properly.
Eren 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 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.”
Alongside children in foster care, Revive packs have also been given to people in residential care and kinship carers.
Neighbouring authorities across the north of England have also shown an interest in the scheme.
Marina 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 created as an off-shoot of Eren and Marina’s community interest company ‘Care Leavers Second Chance’, set up last year to provide ongoing advice and support to care leavers across Leeds.
Leeds City Council currently supports around 1,500 children in care but as is the case nationally, 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.
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 and help create environments where they really feel seen, valued and respected.
She continued: “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.”
No special qualifications are needed to be a foster carer. Prospective carers just need to be over 21, have a spare room and can offer a safe, caring home.
Foster 4 Leeds offers carers emotional, practical and financial support as well as ongoing training.
For more information on fostering in Leeds, visit the Foster 4 Leeds website.