YOUNG designers have crafted an arts workshop for looked after children on Teesside.

Fine art and 3D students from Cleveland College of Art & Design held the ‘spooktacular, arts and crafts morning for children and their carers to help promote Middlesbrough’s Fostering and Adoption Service.

More than 40 youngsters, from tots to teens, helped to create a spooky collage at Stewart Park’s visitor centre with students Pip Herbst, Adam Shaw and Ellis Odlum.

The Northern School of Art fine art tutor Judith Crompton said: “Having the opportunity to work with children in the local community is something that our students have really been looking forward to.

“It’s also great for the college to link up with other agencies and I hope that this will be the start of something that will continue to grow in the future.”

The workshop was one of a number of events organised by Middlesbrough’s Fostering and Adoption Service to help raise the profile of carers in the region.

Fostering assistant team manager Sue Mansell said: “Within Teesside we have a significant number of children who require foster care.

“In September we started a recruitment drive to attract lots more people to the service and events like these give us a wonderful opportunity to spread the word about the benefits of fostering.

“It’s also a chance to recognise the commitment of our existing carers, who do a wonderful job and for all of the children to have fun.

“I am really impressed that Pip, Ellis and Adam have given up their time to come along and work with the children – they have been absolutely wonderful.”

As well as producing crafts the students also helped out with fundraising raffles and toffee apple selling.

Pip, 17, of Middlesbrough, said: “It has been so much fun getting involved with the children.

“We’ve been making cards and crafts, helping with cutting and sticking and using lots and lots of glitter.”

Adam, 20, of Stockton, said: “The children have been so creative, really joined in and have loved getting stuck into all of the arts and crafts.

“It’s wonderful to be able to teach young people new skills and today has been absolutely fantastic.”

Carer Carol Ann Bullock, 44, who attended the event with her daughter Natasha, 10, and her foster children, added: “It’s so rewarding to foster. Children make your life and all they want in return is a loving family.

“I’ve been fostering for 13 years and have looked after more than 200 children. It’s great to have events like this where all the children can get together and see that they are not the only ones.

“For the The Northern School of Art students to give up their own time, come and work with the children and to see them having so much fun is magical.”

Anyone interested in fostering in Middlesbrough can contact Middlesbrough Council on (01642) 201962. Middlesbrough Fostering and Adoption Service are also on Facebook and Twitter. For more details on any The Northern School of Art courses contact (01642) 288888.