A £12.4m innovation fund aims to make foster care more flexible, inclusive and better suited to modern life
For Chanice, the difference began with weekends. Not a single life-changing moment, but ordinary time spent with someone who kept coming back. There were trips to the theatre, new places to visit, things to learn and a relationship that grew slowly into something enduring.
“Having a Weekender is different from having a parent,” she tells Positive News magazine. “For me it was about having someone who kept showing up, who took me to new places, taught me things, introduced me to theatre and believed I could do more. When you are in care, people can come and go, so having a consistent adult who is still there years later really matters. [Carer] Sara became part of my life, not just for a weekend, but for the long term.”
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That idea – that a child in care may need not only a foster home, but a wider circle of adults who can stay close over time – is at the heart of a new effort to rethink fostering in England.
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The government has launched a £12.4m Fostering Innovation Fund, designed to help modernise foster care and make it more accessible to a wider range of people. It forms part of a wider government pledge to create 10,000 additional foster care places during this parliament, amid concern that the number of approved fostering households has fallen in recent years.
At the end of March 2025 there were 42,190 fostering households in England, with numbers having declined steadily since 2021, according to Ofsted. The number of mainstream local authority fostering households has fallen particularly sharply in recent years, while charities and fostering organisations have warned that too many children cannot currently be matched with the right family, in the right place, at the right time.
The decline is less a story of people caring less, and more a sign that the system has made it too hard for many of the right people to step forward, and too hard for some existing carers to stay.
The new fund is not simply about asking more people to do an already difficult job. Its ambition is to change who feels fostering is possible for them in the first place.
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The idea that a child in care may need not only a foster home, but a wider circle of adults who can stay close over time, is at the heart of a new effort to rethink fostering in England. Image: Pressmaster / Shutterstock
For years, fostering has often been imagined through a narrow picture of family life, built around a couple, a spare room and at least one adult with enough time to provide care in a fairly traditional way. That model will continue to be right for many children and many carers, but it does not reflect the full range of households, working patterns and support networks that exist now.
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The new approach is intended to test ways of making fostering more flexible, without weakening safeguarding or lowering the level of care children receive. That could mean supporting carers to make better use of the space they already have, creating stronger local clusters of support around foster families, or developing models in which people offer regular weekend care or respite, building long-term relationships with children while supporting full-time carers.
One example already being developed is Weekenders, led by NOW Foster, which gives people a route into building a relationship with a child when full-time fostering is not possible.
For me it was about having someone who kept showing up, who took me to new places, taught me things, introduced me to theatre and believed I could do more
Sara Fernandez, NOW Foster’s chief executive, knows the power of that model personally. She first met Chanice when she was 26 and did not feel able to foster full-time.
“We started with weekends and sleepovers, doing very ordinary things: swimming, bike rides, knitting, crochet, theatre trips, cooking and chatting,” says Fernandez. “Over time, those ordinary weekends became an enduring relationship, still going strong over 12 years later. That is what is so powerful about the Weekenders model. It gives people a flexible, realistic route into being there for a child, more like an auntie, uncle or godparent, while giving children another trusted adult who is committed to them as they grow up. It helped me learn more about fostering and I went on to do other fostering roles over the years too,” she says.
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More flexible routes into fostering aren’t aiming to replace full-time foster care but instead, look to strengthen it, offering children more trusted adults and giving potential carers the confidence, training and experience to consider taking on more in future.
More flexible routes into fostering aren’t aiming to replace full-time foster care but instead, look to strengthen it, offering children more trusted adults and giving potential carers the confidence, training and experience to consider taking on more in future. Image: fizkes
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Other models are trying to tackle different barriers. Room Makers, for example, supports carers to adapt their homes so they can welcome a child or keep siblings together. In Greater Manchester, one foster carer who had been limited by space was given a £7,800 grant through the scheme to reconfigure her home and will soon be able to care for siblings.
The Mockingbird model, meanwhile, builds constellations of foster families around a central “hub home”, so carers and children are not left to manage alone. It is a simple but powerful insight: foster families, like any families, are more likely to thrive when they have practical help, friendship and people nearby who understand what they are carrying.
Amy Burns, who is care experienced, describes what the absence of that support can feel like.
“There were two years between Mum dying and being fostered,” she says. “There was breakdown. There was chaos. There was danger. And then there was a new home, a new start and a new village. My foster family saved my life, as much as my social workers, as much as anyone who came before. You don’t have to be a full-time foster carer to make a difference. A village for someone who is care experienced might look like teachers, neighbours, people from past foster placements. But it has to exist.”
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You don’t have to be a full-time foster carer to make a difference
Fostering is not easy, and presenting it as a simple act of kindness would be misleading. Children in care may have experienced grief, trauma, neglect, instability or repeated moves. Foster carers need proper training, respect, financial support and access to skilled professionals when things become difficult.
Children’s minister Josh MacAlister said the investment would help move fostering “into the 21st century”, by opening it up to a wider range of people and changing more children’s lives through stable homes.
The test now is whether that ambition reaches children quickly and carefully enough. The strongest reforms will be those shaped not only by systems and targets, but by the voices of people who know what care feels like from the inside.
For Chanice, the lesson is simple. A weekend was never only a weekend. It was a beginning, and it became a relationship that lasted.
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Main image: Pressmaster / Shutterstock
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The Bridgend hospital was forced to temporarily stop accepting emergency patients on Tuesday evening due to a water supply issue
A Welsh health board has issued an update after its A&E department was left unable to accept any patients due to a significant water outage. People were advised to attend other hospitals and all on-site visiting was cancelled at the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend on May 19.
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In an update issued at around 9pm on Tuesday evening, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board said the water supply issue was resolving and said the emergency department was able to accept patients as normal.
The health board said further updates would be provided on Wednesday.
In their latest statement the health board wrote: “The temporary disruption to the water supply at Princess of Wales Hospital is now resolving.
“Our Emergency Department is now able to accept patients as normal.
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“We would like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding this evening as Welsh Water Dwr Cymru work to resolve this issue.
Earlier on Tuesday, the health board said the emergency department was struggling with a “significant” water supply problem and confirmed they were working closely with Welsh Water to restore services.
The water provider said the supply issues were not linked to them, but maintained that engineers were on site supporting the hospital with their outage.
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A spokesperson from Welsh Water said: “We can confirm that following investigation, the water supply issues currently being experienced at the Princess of Wales hospital are not linked to Welsh Water.
“Our engineers are on site to support the hospital and we are sending tankers to supplement the supply of water to the site.”
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Popular drama show Doc Martin, starring Martin Clunes, was a massive hit for ITV, airing for ten series from 2004 until 2022.
Following the story of Dr Martin Ellingham, who leaves London for the village of Portwenn, the show became a fan favourite over its 18 years on air.
Since it ended in 2022, fans of Doc Martin have called for its return, and now the star, Clunes, has hinted at a possible revival.
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Martin Clunes at ITV Doc Martin return
Clunes recently appeared at the Goodwoof dog show at Goodwood in West Sussex, where he was asked about the potential return of Doc Martin.
Replying to the fan’s question, the actor said, “Never say never. We’ll see. Of course, GPs have to retire at my age, but er, yes, more on that story later!”
Clune’s answer received cheers from the crowd at the chance of the ITV shows ‘ possible return.
The actor also shared with the audience how Doc Martin had changed his life, sharing, “8 years of Doc Martin was great. It was good to us. My wife Philippa produced all of it.
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“That meant we could work together, take the dogs to work, it was our company. So that was life-changing. Paid for the farm!”
Over its 10 series and Christmas specials, Doc Martin attracted more than eight million viewers, with later series and specials drawing over 10 million, according to ITV.
The show became one of ITV’s biggest and most watched drama-comedy’s, and has even seen an American spin-off.
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A US version of Doc Martin, called Best Medicine, follows a similar story to the ITV show and was recently renewed for a second series.
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Clunes even made a guest appearance on the American show, appearing as Dr Robert Best for a special surprise for fans of the original show.
Would you like to see more Doc Martin? Let us know in the comments.
Foster Care Fortnight is the UK’s biggest awareness raising campaign for fostering and takes place between May 11 to 24.
Kibble, one of the UK’s leading children’s charities, is encouraging people across Lanarkshire to consider becoming foster carers this Foster Care Fortnight by attending a series of drop-in and online information events.
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Foster Care Fortnight is the UK’s biggest awareness raising campaign for fostering and takes place between May 11 to 24.
Organised by The Fostering Network, the annual campaign celebrates the dedication of foster carers while highlighting the urgent need for more people to provide safe, stable and nurturing homes for children and young people.
This year’s theme, ‘This is Fostering’, shines a light on the everyday realities of fostering and the profound difference foster carers make to children’s lives.
Kibble’s specialist fostering team will host the following events for individuals, couples and families interested in learning more about fostering.
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An online information session will be held on Wednesday, May 20, from 7pm to 8pm while a drop-in event will be held in Hamilton from 10am to 4pm.
The events are open to anyone considering fostering, whether they are exploring the idea for the first time or looking for more information about how they can support a child or young person in need of a safe, nurturing home.
Hosted by Kibble’s experienced fostering team, the sessions will provide practical advice, expert insight and the opportunity to ask questions in a welcoming and supportive environment.
Attendees will learn more about what fostering involves, the different types of fostering available, and how Kibble supports foster carers every step of the way through training, guidance and ongoing support.
Foster carers play a vital role in providing children and young people with stability, care and encouragement, often during some of the most challenging periods of their lives.
They help children build confidence, maintain education and relationships, and feel safe and supported within a family environment.
However, there remains an urgent need for more foster carers across Scotland to ensure children and young people can remain close to their communities, schools, friends and support networks.
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Sandy Mayhew, Executive Director of Community Services at Kibble, said: “Fostering can make a life-changing difference to children and young people who need a safe, supportive home.
“Foster Care Fortnight is an important opportunity to raise awareness of the need for more foster carers and to celebrate the incredible role they play in helping children thrive.
“Our information events are designed to give people the chance to learn more about fostering in an informal and welcoming setting, ask questions and explore whether fostering could be the right path for them.
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“At Kibble, we are committed to supporting our foster carers every step of the way, from the first enquiry through to ongoing training and guidance. We would encourage anyone who has ever considered fostering to come along and find out more.”
Sarah Thomas, Chief Executive of The Fostering Network, added: “Foster carers are not only parents, providing warmth stability and a place to call home – they are highly skilled. They juggle many roles: educators, mediators, advocates and organisers, with a deep knowledge of children’s best interests.
“However, many foster carers are leaving, while the number of children entering care is on the rise. We urgently need more people to step forward so every child can have the right home for their needs.
“There’s no such thing as a ‘typical’ foster carer. Foster carers and kinship carers come from different backgrounds, are different ages, genders, ethnicity and sexual orientation.
“It’s this diversity that brings the fostering community together to help children feel safe, supported and able to thrive. “So, if you do one thing this Foster Care Fortnight, take a moment to find out more about fostering and whether it might be right for you.”
For people interested in attending one of Kibble’s Foster Care Fortnight events to learn more about the life-changing impact it can have on both children and foster parents, please contact email kfsrecruitment@kibble.org or visit www.kibblefostering.org/.
*Don’t miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
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Manchester City drew 1-1 at Bournemouth as Arsenal were crowned Premier League champions with a game to spare.
Manchester City drew 1-1 at Bournemouth as Arsenal were crowned Premier League champions with a game to spare. Pep Guardiola’s side knew that nothing but a win would do on the south coast but they fell behind to a goal from Junior Kroupi towards the end of the first half.
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Nico O’Reilly nearly levelled soon after the restart and Guardiola piled on the attackers to try to get City back into the game. At the other end, Gianluigi Donnarumma did well to keep the Blues in the game as Bournemouth countered and posed a threat.
City scored a 94th-minute equaliser through Erling Haaland but were unable to get a late winner in what could be Guardiola’s final away game in English football. They will finish in second place in the league and conclude their season at home to Aston Villa.
Click here to find out the latest Manchester City news in our daily newsletter
Here are the player ratings from the Manchester Evening News.
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Donnarumma: Made a number of good saves in the second half to keep City in the game, although a mixed performance from set-pieces. 7
Nunes: Couldn’t stop the cross for the Bournemouth goal 6
Khusanov: Didn’t get out to Kroupi for the goal and has taken on Walker’s old role of shooting from sight without going close, but otherwise fine. 6
Guehi: Had plenty of physical battles with Evanilson and did well to come out on top in most of them. 6
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O’Reilly: Full of energy all night but struggled to find the usual relationship with Doku as he was used more centrally often. 6
Silva: Dropped well into the backline to help City get out against an energetic Bournemouth, sacrificed in the comeback effort. 7
Rodri: Still not at his best but doesn’t need to be to be one of the better City players on the pitch. 7
Kovacic: Provided some much-needed calm early on, lost his way after that, and then recovered to push City onto the front foot. 6
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Semenyo: His touch and decision-making in the final third was poor in the first half, although he did better just after the break. 5
Doku: Found himself with at least two markers most of the time but still found a way to be dangerous. 6
Haaland: Unlucky to be flagged offside when it looked very tight and nearly slipped O’Reilly in but couldn’t find a chance himself. 6
Substitutes
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Cherki (for Silva, 56) Some nice runs as he came closer than most to engineering a goal back. 6
Foden (for Kovacic, 56) Took his time to settle and didn’t keep the ball well enough. 5
Savinho (for Semenyo, 56) Outmuscled when he pushed forward and lost the ball attempting flicks. Not the man for the circumstances. 4
Marmoush (for Doku, 76) Tried his best to get into the game but Bournemouth blocked everything in the box. 6
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Not used: Trafford, Stones, Dias, Gvardiol, Reijnders
The supermarket has introduced more than 400 new food and drink items and cut prices across hundreds of everyday essentials in one of its biggest updates in recent years.
The changes cover frozen food, bakery, fresh produce, meat, and food-to-go categories.
The move is aimed at improving value, expanding customer choice, and enhancing the in-store experience.
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Rachel Eyre, chief customer officer at Asda, told Grocery Gazette: “We know many customers are making careful choices when they shop and our job is to do even more to support them.
“These changes offer greater value and choice in areas they shop the most and improve the in-store shopping experience.
“They’re about rewarding customers for their loyalty, as well as encouraging those who haven’t been to Asda for a while to take a fresh look.”
The fresh produce and frozen food sections have been upgraded, with greengrocer staff returning to fruit and veg aisles to support shoppers and maintain quality.
Asda has also refreshed its fruit and veg displays to include clearer information about product quality and origin.
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What products will Asda be introducing and making cheaper?
More than 230 new frozen items are now available, including options from popular brands such as Crosta Mollica.
The supermarket has lowered prices on multiple household staples including beef mince, pork sausages, eggs, baby potatoes, and baked beans.
Asda garden peas are now 41p, down from 55p, baked beans are 39p instead of 42p, and pork sausages have been reduced from £1.79 to £1.58.
To improve price transparency, £1 and £2 labels have been introduced in-store and online to highlight budget-friendly options.
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The Asda Rewards programme has also been updated with new offers and missions across fresh, frozen, and general merchandise categories.
Asda is also offering a free piece of fruit to children in its 426 superstores.
Ms Eyre said she believes shoppers will notice improvements: “We’re confident they’ll see the difference straight away.”
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The supermarket said these changes build on its existing value proposition, with thousands of products already priced below equivalents at Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Morrisons.
Asda currently serves around 16 million customers each week across more than 1,200 UK locations and online, including superstores, supermarkets, Asda Living outlets, and Express sites.
Which is your favourite supermarket? Let us know in the comments
Two food spots were also crowned All-Ireland champions this year
Our thriving hospitality industry was celebrated at the Irish Restaurant Awards this week as a number of local spots were recognised as ‘Best in Ulster’.
Earlier this year, businesses from across Northern Ireland were selected to represent their county across a range of categories at the All-Ireland final, which took place in Dublin on Monday night.
A total of 13 restaurants, cafes, pubs and people from across the country came away with a ‘Best in Ulster’ win – with two going on to be crowned ‘Best in Ireland’ for 2026.
Popular Belfast coffee shop General Merchant was recognised as not only the best in the province but top across the entire island of Ireland. Frae, a neighbourhood wine bar in Holywood, also took an All-Ireland win for Best Customer Service.
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Here are the NI spots named Ulster winners of the Irish Restaurant Awards 2026:
Best Restaurant in Ulster – Noble
Best Chef in Ulster – Stevie Toman, Ox Restaurant
Best Restaurant Manager in Ulster – Paul Vaughan, James St
Best Use of Social Media in Ulster – Charlie’s Bar Enniskillen
Best Gastro Pub in Ulster – The Dirty Duck Alehouse
Best Cafe in Ulster – General Merchants (All Ireland winner)
Best Newcomer in Ulster – Capparelli at The Mill
Pub of the Year in Ulster – Linnet Inn
Best Wine Experience in Ulster – El Tapas Grá
Best Customer Service in Ulster – Frae (All Ireland winner)
Best Sustainable Practices in Ulster – Killeavy Castle Estate
Innovator of the Year Ulster – Waterman House
Local Food Hero Ulster – Jordan Weir, The Dairy – Bistro, Butchers & Farm Shop
Speaking at the All-Ireland Awards, President of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, Seán Collender, said: “Tonight is a celebration of the people who make Ireland’s hospitality industry one of the most vibrant and exciting sectors in the country. From local cafés and family run restaurants to world class dining destinations, these Awards recognise the passion, dedication and innovation that can be found in every corner of Ireland.”
“Gordon Ramsay recently described Ireland as the sleeping giant of European cuisine. Well, that giant is awakening and tonight is proof of that. Across every county we are seeing incredible creativity, quality and ambition in our restaurants and hospitality businesses.”
“The standard showcased tonight demonstrates that Ireland should now be firmly recognised as a leading culinary destination. I want to congratulate every nominee and winner for the extraordinary work they do every day to showcase the very best of Irish hospitality.”
Lee Andrews has been ‘missing’ for several days after he failed to show up in the UK to meet his wife Katie Price
Jamie Downham Deputy Associate Editor, the Mirror and Olivia Bridge Reporter in Live News Network
20:50, 19 May 2026Updated 20:50, 19 May 2026
Former Apprentice star Luisa Zissman said she flew to Dubai this week on a “mission” to track down Katie Price’s apparently ‘missing’ husband.
The star fled the country earlier this year as tensions in the Middle East grew at the outbreak of the Iran war. However, she told fans she would head back and search for Lee Andrews.
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The Dubai businessman, who tied the knot with Katie within days of meeting her, has been missing for six days. The 47-year-old former glamour model says on the last call she had with him, his hands were tied together and a hood had been placed over his face. Katie said she feared he had been kidnapped near the border between Dubai and Oman, reports The Mirror.
However, the star hit out at claims the whole thing is a publicity stunt today, slamming them as “disgusting”.
Luisa, 38, has shared a series of videos that suggest her search isn’t entirely serious, including looking for him in the Emirates Lounge at Heathrow Airport. However, she did share an interesting update.
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In a video posted from Dubai, she said: “It’s the end of day one looking for Lee Andrews missing persons case. I’m trying to bring Katie Price’s husband home. So, I’ve discovered a few things.
“He was seen as active on Facebook Messenger six hours ago which does indicate that his kidnappers are definitely letting him have access to social media. Makes you wonder why he hasn’t reached out to ask for help.”
The influencer continued: “Who knows, but I did see that while I did some digging on Facebook. It’s looking unlikely I’m going to be able to bring him home. Where are you Lee? Everyone wants to know. A nation wants to know.”
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She earlier posted a video of herself in the cabin of a first class flight, telling followers: “Wish me luck.” She wrote: “I’m ready to undertake this mission for the nation and our love of our national treasure Katie Price, we love you.”
Speaking today Katie offered an update to fans, saying: “Hey everyone, I’m here to do an update about Lee. This is a really difficult time for me at the moment. It’s been five days since I’ve heard anything from Lee. None of his family have heard anything, his dad is out in Dubai and he’s heard nothing.”
She said Lee had been reported as missing to the British Embassy saying the Foreign Office have confirmed they are “supporting the family of a British man” – and that her “anxiety levels are sky high”.
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Katie then appealed for help, saying: “If there’s anyone in Dubai or you know anyone in Dubai and you spot him or see him… I don’t know because I don’t know where he is. Because the last thing I know, his hands were tied and he had a hood over his head and he was in the back of a van.”
She added: “All I can do is look after myself and my head and get on with each day as I can. Because I still have to get on with life. I want to thank everyone for their kind messages. I’m a tough girl. I’m a survivor but I’ve never been in a situation like this.”
Bournemouth, meanwhile, are looking to finish Andoni Iraola’s tenure as strongly as possible and have their own significant ambitions as a point will confirm a place in Europe for the first time in the club’s history, though a win would keep them in the hunt for Champions League qualification. Follow the game LIVE below with our dedicated match blog!
Police are becoming ‘increasingly concerned’ about a man who was reported missing in Prestwich. Chris, whose surname was not disclosed by police, was last seen at Prestwich Hospital at around 3pm on Tuesday (May 19).
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A search for the 49-year-old has been launched. A photo of Chris was shared by police as part of a public appeal, and anyone with information is urged to report it.
He is described as a white male, of medium build and with brown, thinning hair. He was last seen wearing a black jacket, cap and coloured yellow and black trainers.
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A statement shared by Greater Manchester Police said: “Can you help find Chris, 49, from Prestwich? He was last seen leaving Prestwich Hospital at around 3pm on Tuesday May 19.
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“Chris is described as a white male of a medium build with brown thinning hair. He was last seen wearing a black jacket, black cap with yellow emblem, coloured trainers yellow and black (unbranded), black trainers.
“Officers are becoming increasingly concerned about him and want to make sure he is safe and well. Anyone with information about his whereabouts should call police on 101 quoting log 2055 of 19/05/2026.”
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