Can you be an inspiration to young people in foster care?

INSPIRATIONAL people keen to make a difference in the lives of young people have the opportunity to put their best foot forward, soak up the sights and sounds of Swansea Bay and learn more about fostering.

Swansea’s first-ever Foster Walk is kicking off on Swansea Prom on June 6 and it’s giving people who’ve thought about fostering the chance to dip a toe in the water and find out from carers who know, what it’s all about.

The event’s been organised by Swansea Council’s Foster Swansea team in collaboration with the Fostering Network as part of Foster Care Fortnight.

Christine Richards, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said it’s an ideal informal day out for would-be foster carers.

She said: “There’s more than 270 young people of all ages in Swansea today for whom a stable home and a positive influence would make all the difference in their lives.

“That’s why we want to hear from as many people as possible who have a spare room in their home and feel fostering children is something they’d like to consider. Coming along to the Foster Walk is a nice, informal way to chat to foster carers, their families and children too about what’s involved.

“Our Foster Swansea team have got bags of experience and expertise in foster care and they’re tremendously supportive of the families they work with. So while it may feel sometimes quite a daunting prospect, foster carers will tell you you’re never alone.”

Kelly Lewis is Foster Swansea’s business development manager and she said the Foster Walk was just one of the ways in which the team is promoting Foster Care Fortnight, the annual awareness-raising recruitment campaign.

She said there is no such thing as a typical foster carer any more than there is a typical child who needs support from foster carers.

She said: “A lot of people think that foster care is about giving children long-term homes and, for some, that is the case. But these days there are a lot of other options too. For example some of our foster carers offer weekend and evening care while others provide support not just to children but to their parents too.

“The kind of people foster caring would appeal to are those who can inspire and encourage young people to achieve their potential and reach their goals so they feel cared for and settled. On a practical level all you need is at least one spare bedroom in your home.”

To find out more about the Foster Walk call 0300 555 0111 or go to the website at www.fosterswansea.org