03/28/2024

Wales News Online

Local & National News for Wales

FOSTER families are needed to help change the lives of a growing number of children and young people in Carmarthenshire – could it be you?

Foster Care Fortnight is taking place from May 13 to 26 and Carmarthenshire Fostering Service is on a mission to recruit new foster carers.

There are more than 200 children aged from newborn to 18-years-old being fostered throughout the county, and new children for a variety of reasons are in need of foster families.

The shortage of suitable Carmarthenshire families to provide them with a loving home at this turbulent time in their lives means some children can be placed far from their families, friends and school. This is something Carmarthenshire Fostering Service tries to avoid at all cost and that is why they need foster carers in all areas of Carmarthenshire.

Executive Board Member for Education and Children Cllr Glynog Davies said: “We desperately need more foster carers in Carmarthenshire. We have many long term foster carers who will vouch that fostering can be an extremely rewarding career and lifestyle choice. All training and ongoing support is provided. Fostering is not easy, it does come with challenges, but above all it can be immensely rewarding.”

Foster Care Fortnight is an annual campaign to raise the profile of fostering and shows how foster care transforms lives. Fostering has the potential to be life-changing for fostered children and young people.

New foster families are needed every year to care for children and young people, with the greatest need for foster carers for older children, sibling groups, disabled children and unaccompanied asylum seeking children.

“This Foster Care Fortnight we want you to know that fostering is about changing futures, the futures of fostered children and young people and the futures of the foster families who care for them,” said Cllr Davies.

“And, if you think you have the relevant skills and experience, we’re calling on you to consider becoming a foster carer so that you can also change a future.”

If you think you could take that step and make a difference by becoming a Carmarthenshire foster carer please get in touch by calling 0800 0933699 or for more information visit https://foster.midandwest.wales/carmarthenshire/

Or come along to the HWBs in Llanelli, Ammanford and Carmarthen during Foster Care Fortnight to meet some of the team and find out about the various fostering opportunities are available within Carmarthenshire, including what support is available.

A coffee morning is also being held at Cross Hands Workingmen’s Club on Friday, May 17 between 10am and 12noon so pop in for a chat and a cuppa.

 

 

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