Darlington Kinship Connect

16/06/2026

Have Your Say on the Future of Kinship Support in Darlington!

At our next Peer Support Group meeting, we will be joined by a representative from Darlington Borough Council who would like to hear directly from kinship carers about their experiences and what support families need.

This feedback will help create a baseline understanding of the challenges and successes of kinship care in Darlington and will help inform the development of support through the new Families First reforms.

This is a genuine opportunity for kinship carers to have their voices heard and help shape future services.

📅 Thursday 25th June
🕙 10:00am - 12:00pm
📍 Red Hall Community Centre

Whether you've been a kinship carer for a few months or many years, your experiences matter.

You don't need to prepare anything and there is no pressure to speak if you would rather just listen. Every perspective is valuable.

If you've ever thought:
💬 "Things need to change."
💬 "I wish someone understood what kinship care is really like."
💬 "Kinship carers deserve better support."

This is your opportunity to help influence what happens next.

As always, tea, coffee, support, and friendly faces will be available.

If you would like to come along, give this post a like, share with other Kinship carers and have a say in the shape of Kinship cares future.

We hope to see you there.

13/06/2026

11/06/2026

📢 Job Opportunity – Family Time Facilitator 📢

Please note: Darlington Kinship Connect is sharing this opportunity on behalf of one of our community partners who has asked if we would share it and is not involved in the recruitment process.

Our community partners at The Family Tree Centre CIC are looking for a compassionate and enthusiastic Family Time Facilitator to support children and families in building positive relationships and creating meaningful shared experiences.

🕒 Hours: • Weekdays: 3:30pm – 6:30pm • Weekends: 9:30am – 6:30pm (Zero hour contract)

💷 Pay: £14–£16 per hour

This role would suit someone with experience working with children and families, or those studying Social Work, Childhood Studies, or a related field.

If you're passionate about supporting families and making a difference in your local community, we'd love to hear from you!

For full details and to apply, please follow the link below: 👇

Apply for the Family Time Facilitator job in Darlington! Learn more about the job description, salary and job details to see if you qualify on Indeed today.

10/06/2026

Can we talk about kinship foster parents for a minute?

Because they don’t get enough credit.

Most foster parents spend months preparing.

They fill out applications.
Take classes.
Read books.
Set up bedrooms.
Attend trainings.
Learn the language of trauma before a child ever walks through their door.

Kinship caregivers don’t get that luxury.

The phone rings.

And suddenly it’s:

“Can you take them tonight?”

Not next month.
Not after training.
Not after they buy a bed.

Tonight.

A grandmother who thought she was done raising children starts over.

An aunt rearranges her entire life.

A cousin clears out a spare room.

A sibling in their twenties becomes a parent overnight.

No preparation.
No warning.
No time to process.

Just a child they love and a decision they have to make.

And many times?

There is little to no financial support in the beginning.

The bills show up immediately.

The groceries.
The clothes.
The shoes.
The school supplies.
The car seats.
The doctor appointments.

But the assistance often takes weeks or months.

Sometimes it never comes at all.

Yet they still say yes.

Not because it’s easy.

Not because they have all the answers.

But because a child they love needs somewhere safe to land.

Kinship care is one of the most beautiful forms of sacrifice I’ve ever witnessed.

It’s grandparents spending their retirement raising babies.

It’s relatives navigating courtrooms they never expected to enter.

It’s families stretching every dollar, every ounce of energy, every square foot of their homes.

It’s love showing up without a training manual.

And while we absolutely need foster parents, let’s not forget the quiet heroes carrying so much of this burden.

The grandparents.

The aunts.

The uncles.

The cousins.

The older siblings.

The people who didn’t sign up for foster care.

But signed up for that child.

And sometimes, that’s the bravest kind of yes.

10/06/2026

Kinship Carers' Coffee Morning - Have Your Say

Darlington Kinship Connect has been approached by Darlington Borough Council as part of the Families First reforms, and they would like to hear directly from kinship carers about the support, services and changes that matter most to local families.

We are considering hosting an informal coffee morning where kinship carers can come along, have a brew, and share their experiences in a relaxed and friendly environment.

This would be a chance for your voice to be heard and to help shape future support for kinship families in Darlington.

There would be no pressure to speak, and you would be welcome to simply listen if you prefer.

Before we arrange this, we'd like to know if this is something you would be interested in attending.

Please comment below, message us privately, or react to this post if you would like to come along.

Your experiences matter, and this is an opportunity to help influence the future of kinship support in our local area.

10/06/2026

🌟 We Have Some Exciting News! 🌟

We are absolutely delighted to share that Darlington Kinship Connect has been nominated for a BBC Radio Tees Make a Difference Award 2026 in the Community Group category.

We were incredibly touched to receive the news and to read some of the kind words included in the nomination. To know that someone took the time to recognise the support, friendship, and community that has grown through Darlington Kinship Connect means more than we can put into words.

When we started Darlington Kinship Connect in May 2025, our aim was simple: to ensure that kinship carers and the children they care for had somewhere to turn, somewhere they felt understood, and somewhere they knew they were not alone.

This nomination belongs to every kinship carer who has walked through our doors, joined a support group, shared their story, offered a listening ear, or supported another family through difficult times.

A special thank you to our volunteers, supporters, partner organisations, and everyone who has believed in what we are trying to achieve. We couldn't do this without you.

We don't yet know whether we'll be shortlisted as finalists, but being nominated alone is an incredible honour and something we are very proud of.

Thank you for supporting Darlington Kinship Connect and for helping us continue to raise awareness of kinship care across our community. 💙

09/06/2026

We have the opportunity to help shape the support, services and information available to kinship families across Darlington, and we want to make sure your experiences and views are heard.

If you could change one thing for kinship carers in Darlington, what would it be?

What support do you wish had been available when you first became a kinship carer and now?

What services, information or practical help would make the biggest difference to your family now?

This could include:

Financial support, Education and schools, Mental health and wellbeing, Access to information, Activities for children and families, Support from social care, Legal advice, Health services.

Anything else you feel is important, there are no right or wrong answers.

Whether your experience has been positive, challenging, or somewhere in between, we'd love to hear from you.

You can comment below or send us a private message if you would prefer.

Your feedback will help us ensure the voices of kinship carers are represented in these discussions.

Thank you for any contributions you have!!

04/06/2026

Have you seen EasyPeasy?
Darlington Borough Council has funded access to this free app for local families. It’s designed for parents and carers of 0–5 year olds, offering simple advice and ideas to support early development—all in one place.

04/06/2026

Are you raising a relative or family friend's child?

You are not alone, Darlington Kinship Connect are there to help.

They offer Peer Support Groups with others who truly understand your journey.
Offer practical advise, training workshops, emotional support and information and resources.

Follow Darlington Kinship Connect on Facebook
Email [email protected]

02/06/2026

Our weekly drop in sessions are resuming as normal again this week, please feel free to pop in if you would like advice, a chat or just a cuppa with others who understand what you are going through!!

We’re pleased to be offering friendly weekly drop-in sessions for kinship carers.

Every Tuesday and Wednesday
Starting from 28th April 2026
10:00am – 12:00pm
Darlington Kinship Connect Office
Redhall Community Centre
Headingley Crescent, Darlington, DL1 2ST

These sessions are a safe, welcoming space to come along, have a chat, and access support from people who understand the realities of kinship care. Whether you need advice, a listening ear, or just a break with a brew, you are welcome.

No booking is required, just drop in.

For more information:
Telephone: 07591 901601