Thinking about fostering can raise a lot of questions, and for many people, it also brings assumptions about whether they’d be “allowed” or “able” to do it.
“I’d love to foster, but…” is something we often hear from people when we’re out and about in the community chatting with them about fostering.
It’s easy to quietly rule yourself out before you’ve had a chance to find out what’s actually involved.
a more flexible and inclusive reality
The reality is that local authority fostering is far more flexible, inclusive and supportive than many people expect. There isn’t one “type” of foster carer, one “type” of foster child or one “type” of foster care.
People foster in different homes, with different life experiences, and at different stages of their lives — and children who need fostering also come from a wide range of backgrounds, circumstances and ages.
real stories from foster carers and staff
To help challenge some of the common misconceptions, we’ve collaborated with our Foster Wales colleagues from across North Wales to create a series of short videos featuring real foster carers and staff from Gwynedd and our neighbouring local authorities.
In their own words, they share what fostering is really like and speak about the things people are often surprised to learn when they first explore it.
If you’ve ever wondered whether fostering might be for you, these stories are a good place to start.
you can foster if you’re single
Meleri, a foster carer from Gwynedd, shares how she balances fostering with working full time, and why being single has never stopped her from providing a loving home for children who need one. She said:
“I think there’s something for everyone in fostering. It can be flexible and fit around work. Even though I foster on my own, I never feel alone because there’s always great support available when I need it.”
🎥 Watch Meleri’s story to hear how she balances fostering with working full time and why she never feels alone as a single foster carer with Foster Wales.
you can foster in later life
Brian, a local authority foster carer from Anglesey, fosters alongside his wife, Hilary. Together, they are passionate about supporting children and working closely with families to help keep them together wherever possible. He said:
“Even in our retirement years, we’re getting so much enjoyment out of fostering.”
🎥 Watch Brian’s story to hear how fostering has enriched his retirement and why it’s never too late to make a difference.
you can foster if you have a disability
Steve, from Gwynedd, has been a foster carer for 24 years. He shares what inspired him to open his home and how, despite his own health challenges, he hasn’t let anything stand in the way of fostering. He said:
“I have macular degeneration, an eye condition, but it hasn’t stopped me from fostering.”
🎥 Watch Steve’s story to hear how he’s made fostering work for more than two decades and why having a disability doesn’t have to be a barrier to becoming a foster carer.
you can start fostering young
Hannah and Betty from Conwy share their experience of fostering together, from a shared passion to making it work around their lifestyle, with the support of their local authority. Betty was just 21 when she started fostering. Hannah said:
“It’s been so rewarding, and fostering with Betty has just been amazing”
🎥 Watch their story to hear how they found their way into fostering together and how support has helped them build it into their lives.
you can foster around a fast-paced lifestyle
Anglesey comedian Kiri Pritchard McLean also fosters with her local authority, showing how she balances fostering with a busy, public-facing career in the entertainment industry. She said:
“One of the amazing things about coming into fostering is realising how broad it is in terms of lifestyle and availability.”
🎥 Watch Kiri’s story to hear how she makes fostering work around her lifestyle.
you can achieve your goals after growing up in foster care
Tom, from Flintshire, grew up in foster care and is now a foster carer himself, balancing short breaks fostering with working full time while raising his own children. He said:
“Growing up in foster care never stopped me from achieving my goals. I’ve always wanted to give something back, and fostering is our way of doing that.”
🎥 Watch Tom’s story to hear how his own experiences inspired him to become a foster carer and make a difference to children today.
what’s holding you back?
After hearing these stories, you might be wondering whether fostering could be right for you.
🎥 In this short video, our foster carers share why they chose to go for it—and what they’d say to anyone thinking about taking that step.
it all starts with a friendly conversation
If these stories have made you think differently about fostering, why not take the next step?
Whether you have lots of questions or are simply curious, Lina and Lisa, Maethu Cymru Gwynedd’s dedicated recruitment team, are here to listen, offer advice and help you explore whether fostering could be right for you.
If you’d like to find out more, we’re here when you’re ready.
If you live anywhere else in Wales, visit Foster Wales for more information and to find your local authority fostering team.
