At Foster Wales Merthyr we respect and value each and every one of our foster carers and their experience of fostering. We love hearing about their journeys, their highs and lows, their experiences. It gives people that may be thinking about fostering a chance to hear about the realities of what fostering entails.
Every story is different. Every foster carer is different. And every child is different. But this is what makes our team in Merthyr so special.
Lisa and Mike have kindly shared their story with us, in the hope that others may consider fostering as something they could do.
How long does it take to decide to foster?
“Our story took many years to evolve. After years of doubt, and even wondering if we would be approved as carers, we now find ourselves having fostered for over 5 years now – and we’ve enjoyed every moment!
The process into fostering put us off for years, but really, we were worrying over nothing.
It can feel intrusive, but understandably it’s necessary that the process to become a foster carer is thorough.”
Lisa and Mike considered fostering for a few years before taking their first step. Fostering might be something you’ve been thinking about for a while, or it could be something you’ve never considered before but feels right for you. Whatever your circumstances it’s always worth finding out more, and hearing other peoples’ experience of fostering.
If fostering is something you’ve been thinking about, but like Lisa and Mike you’re unsure on the assessment process, why not pop across to Foster Wales Flintshire’s handy blog about what it’s like to be assessed as a foster carer.
How do you handle saying goodbye to foster children?
“We’ve fostered 5 sets of children, including 2 lots of sibling groups. We can’t pretend that it’s always easy to care for the children, and part of fostering is having to see them leave! However, beyond the sadness of saying goodbye, it’s such a privilege and a joy to see a family created (via adoption) or families reunited (the child(ren) being able to return to their birth family).
We keep positive knowing that we’ve made a difference to the child(ren)’s life, and that they’re moving on to a stable home.”
There are many different types of fostering, and children, that need a home. It may be that you have enough space in your home to welcome siblings in, to keep them together. Or perhaps you have experience with children with additional needs, or you’re particularly good with teens. We have further information on our types of fostering page.
Fostering has been positive for us and our existing family
“We might just be lucky, but we’ve maintained a relationship at one level or another with each and every child we’ve cared for. We all get involved. Fostering expands our family to a point we could never have imagined.“
At Foster Wales Merthyr, we’re always on the lookout for kind, committed people that would like to know more about fostering. People like Lisa and Mike.
If it’s something you know you’d like to do, or even if it’s just something you’d like a bit more information on, fill in our enquiry form and we’ll be in touch asap.
If you live in Wales, visit the Foster Wales website where you can find all the information and contact your local authority service.
