Foster Care Fortnight, the biggest fostering awareness campaign of the year, takes place between May 12 and May 25 this year, with this year’s theme celebrating the power of relationships.
Whether it’s the bond between a foster 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 – over 70 of those foster families here in Gwynedd. Maethu Cymru is aiming to recruit an additional 800 carers by 2026.
Pat* and John* share their story of the lasting relationships they’ve formed as a result of fostering with Maethu Cymru Gwynedd.
Pat and John are two close friends who live apart but foster TOGETHER. They have guided and supported each other through the ups and downs of their 24 years as foster carers.
They help each other with school runs, after school activities and will go on family days out and holidays together, ensuring that the children in their care have the same opportunities as their peers.
They work as a team to ensure the best possible outcomes for the children in their care.
supporting siblings
Fostering siblings has always had a special place in Pat and John’s hearts. Over the years, they have done their fair share of maintaining sibling relationships by keeping brothers and sisters close to each other, which is hugely positive for children and young people in foster care.
“No one understands a foster child’s experience better than a sibling going through the same situation,” says Pat. “Keeping children close to their siblings and maintaining those relationships allows them to provide each other with emotional support and gives them reassurance about their siblings’ safety and whereabouts.”
“Unfortunately, it’s not always possible to keep brothers and sisters together, for a number of reasons, such as the sibling group being too big, or not enough space in the foster carer’s home.”
John added: “This is why Pat and I work together to keep siblings close to each other when they can’t all live under the same roof, to help preserve those family bonds and provide a sense of continuity and belonging in their lives.
“Our role as foster carers is to ensure the children who enter our care are happy, healthy and well-looked after.”
“when brothers and sisters are kept together, it causes much less trauma and emotional upset, making them feel happier overall.”
Cyngor Gwynedd’s Cabinet Member for Children and Supporting Families, Councillor Menna Trenholme added:
“Foster care is about much more than providing a safe place for a child to stay. It’s about building strong and healthy relationships with everyone involved in fostering and is essential for the emotional well-being of our children and young people, and their future success.
“Foster Care Fortnight is an opportunity to celebrate those powerful and lifelong relationships, and to thank our amazing fostering community here in Gwynedd for everything they do for our children and young people.”
*Pat and John’s stories are real, and they provide foster care in Gwynedd. Their names have been changed to protect the children they care for.
