Stuart Heritage has totally missed the mark with his cynical article (John Lewis Christmas advert: the most unapologetically depressing thing in human history, 10 November). I spent last Thursday at the national Fostering Excellence Awards with foster carers, care-experienced young people, social workers and employers who provide fostering-friendly schemes so their employees can foster.
After a tough few years, when foster carers have gone above and beyond for the children in their care, first through the pandemic and now through the cost of living crisis, the John Lewis advert was the talk of the room. As we stand on the brink of a recruitment and retention crisis in fostering, there was huge warmth for the recognition by John Lewis of the difference fostering can make. More than that, for the recognition that kindness and human connection are the things that will see us through the current crises and the ones yet to come.
