To celebrate Social Work Week 2025 (17 – 21 March), we introduce Mererid, a Supervising Social Worker in the Maethu Cymru Gwynedd team. Mererid talks about how she supports local foster families and the important role of the fostering wellbeing pioneers in Gwynedd, who recently won a Fostering Network award in recognition of their valuable contribution to improving fostering in Wales.
how long have you been working in fostering?
I have been working as a Social Worker for 8 years, after qualifying in 2017. I started with the Dwyfor children’s team for a period of 15 months and then came over to the Maethu Cymru Gwynedd team in October 2018.
what is your role within the team?
I am a Supervising Social Worker. I provide ongoing support, guidance and advice to new and existing foster carers and their families. I also carry out fostering assessments, a process that all individuals have to complete before being approved as a foster carer with the Local Authority.
what do you enjoy most about your work?
I love getting to know and build lifelong relationships with our foster carers, who do invaluable work. It is an absolute honour to work with such caring and passionate people and to see the difference the care and love they provide makes to our children and young people who have had a very difficult start to their lives.
I feel very lucky to be part of our big, and incredibly special, fostering community here in Gwynedd.
as someone who was involved in setting up the fostering wellbeing pioneers scheme in Gwynedd, can you explain the role of the pioneers, and why it is important for foster carers?
The Fostering Wellbeing Pioneers started as a small group which has now grown to 12 enthusiastic and active foster carers who work together to give a voice to all foster carers and children in Gwynedd.
They have a variety of experiences and skills to offer and they promote fostering wellbeing to colleagues across the health, education and social care sectors, with the voice and needs of foster children being a priority.
Recently, the Pioneers have started a ‘buddy’ scheme where they are available to support other Foster Carers through difficult times, or at the beginning of their fostering journey. Peer support is vital and invaluable to our foster carers and is an important part of the support network around them. There is a wealth of skills and experiences amongst our foster carers and it is important to make the most of that.
Remember to contact the team at Maethu Cymru Gwynedd or the Pioneers directly if you need any support, advice or just someone to listen over a cup of coffee.
“we’ll never let you feel alone when you foster with us” – Mererid
