Worcestershire Fostering is welcoming two new team members to help young people in the county find foster carers.

A large and small Peter Rabbit™ sculpture will represent the county council’s fostering support team on the streets of Worcester next summer as part of Peter Rabbit™ in the warrens of Worcester.

Set to arrive in the city next July, the art trail will see seventy-five beautifully decorated fibreglass figures on show in city streets and public spaces for eight weeks. A Wild in Art event, the furry mischief-makers are being brought to Worcester by St Richard’s Hospice.

“We urgently need more foster carers in Worcestershire so that children can stay close to the people, schools and communities that are familiar to them. Being able to remain near friends, family and local support networks can make a huge difference during what is often a difficult time in a child’s life. Fostering is about providing a loving, safe and stable home for a child who needs one. There is no ‘one type’ of foster carer. We need people from all walks of life, with different experiences, backgrounds and skills, to help meet the diverse needs of Worcestershire’s children and young people. Whatever your family set-up, if you can offer a caring home, we would love to hear from you.”

— Joy Pollock, Recruitment and Retention Lead at Worcestershire Fostering

Worcestershire Fostering’s small sculpture will be designed and decorated by young people who are being supported in foster care locally.

Joy Pollock, Recruitment and Retention Lead at Worcestershire Fostering added: “Designing and decorating a small sculpture for the trail will be a proud moment for the young people and families we support. We can’t wait for them to showcase their talents next summer.”

Organisations from across Worcestershire and beyond have jumped at the chance to be part of a fourth public art event in 2027.

Artists, both local and national, will dream up and submit designs to decorate each sculpture until December.  Designs will be whittled down to around 100 at the beginning of 2027, with sponsors having the final say on which ones are brought to life.

At the end of the trail, each large Peter Rabbit™ sculpture will be auctioned to support the ongoing care provided by St Richard’s Hospice. Alongside the large sculptures will be a mini parade of smaller ones decorated by schools and community groups across the county.

“We’re excited to welcome Worcestershire Fostering to hop along with us next summer. In selecting the design for their sculpture, the team will have the opportunity to bring their care story to life for thousands of trail-goers and help inspire foster carers of the future.”

— Sara Matthews, Business Development Manager, St Richard’s Hospice

Peter Rabbit™ in the warrens of Worcester is supported by Presenting Partners Chapel & Friary Walk, Connect Worcestershire, DRPG, Worcester BID and Worcestershire Ambassadors, and Media Partners the Worcester News and BBC Hereford & Worcester.

The project is also supported by The World of Peter Rabbit™, which is managed by Penguin Ventures, the licensing and consumer products division of Penguin Random House Children’s UK.

To discuss sponsorship opportunities for the Warrens of Worcester, call Sara Matthews, Business Development Manager, on 01905 763963, or email smatthews@strichards.org.uk