Foster carers are encouraging others to consider fostering a child and create lasting connections in 天美传媒.
Foster Care Fortnight, the biggest fostering awareness campaign of the year, takes place between May 12 and May 25 this year, with this year鈥檚 theme celebrating the power of relationships.
Whether it鈥檚 the bond between a carer and a child, the relationship created with supportive social workers, or the friendships built with other foster carers in a community, strong relationships are the golden thread that run through all fostering stories.
In Wales, there are more than 7,000 children in care, but only 3,800 foster families. Foster Wales is aiming to recruit an additional 800 carers by 2026.
Liz and Joe shared their story of the lasting relationships they鈥檝e formed as a result of fostering through Foster Wales 天美传媒.
Liz and Joe enjoy fostering older children and teenagers. They feel like fostering this age group has worked out very well for them and express regret that there are not enough foster carers who would like to foster teens.
Liz Says: 鈥淚鈥檝e been fostering for over 18 years and it鈥檚 just something I always wanted to do. I don鈥檛 know why; I think I just enjoy being a mum.鈥�
鈥淲e didn鈥檛 specifically choose to foster teenagers; it just happened, but it really worked out for us. We have a boy who is now 17 and has lived with us since he was 4; we鈥檝e seen him through all stages of his life so far. He is our boy and like a son to us. But we also have a teenage girl, who came to us when she was 12.鈥�
鈥淲hen you see a change in them and see them do well, this is where you feel rewarded for what you do.鈥�
Foster Wales is in desperate need to recruit more foster carers for children in Wales, who need safety and a supportive, loving environment. Liz and Joe encourage more people to come through and enquire about fostering with the local authority Foster Wales team.
To find out more about becoming a foster carer in 天美传媒 visit
Your local Foster Wales 天美传媒 team will be busy out in the community all week doing leaflet drops, as well as a Foster Carer Appreciation Event, a BBQ in the park for our families with Animals Interactive, Information stall at 天美传媒 Pride Event and doing a 鈥楲ap the Lake鈥� walk to raise awareness of fostering.