ACROSS our diocese there are children and teenagers who desperately need loving families.

They may have been neglected or abused. They may wonder if anyone loves them. They may have given up hope.

You could help to give them a better future. You could offer to foster or adopt children or teenagers who are unable to remain with their birth parents.

We believe that Christians have a unique opportunity to share God’s love and to make a difference in the lives of these children and young people. We also believe that churches offer a fantastic network of support and prayer for families who choose to adopt and foster.

So our diocese is working with the Christian charity Home for Good and Portsmouth City Council’s adoption and fostering departments to encourage you to consider adoption or fostering. We’re also working with churches of all denominations, and other local authorities where we can.

In the UK, there are 4,000 children waiting for adoption and 8,600 foster families are also needed. The Christian charity Home for Good was set up a year ago to help provide a home for every child who needs one. They encourage Christian families to adopt and foster, and church members to support those who do.