“It’s the little moments, when they see you in the audience of a school play and their face lights up. It can be the smallest thing, out of the blue, and you know you’ve made a difference.”
That’s just one of the comments made by a foster carer in Flintshire, and now the County Council’s fostering team are reaching out for more local residents to consider making that difference and becoming foster carers.
With a display at Broughton shopping park this weekend (3rd and 4th September), the fostering team are hoping that local residents will come forward to find out more about fostering.
With exam results newly released and many teenagers starting university, many mums and dads may find that their homes are strangely quiet and empty. Offering a spare room and time could make a huge difference to a young person, giving them a chance at a brighter future. With an increase in young children aged 0 to 4 years old needing foster care, there are opportunities to foster all ages of children from babies to teenagers, or people can choose an age range to suit their family. There are currently two more local children every week on average who need foster care in Flintshire, so more foster carers are desperately needed.
Jill Jones from the fostering team at Flintshire County Council said:
“We will be at the Broughton Retail Park on Friday and Saturday to answer any questions. People are often surprised at how many different ways there are to foster – from full time to weekend help.
“There’s no upper age limit to who can foster either, we just ask that you’re healthy and able to offer a child a happy home. We are more than happy to talk to anyone about fostering. We just need local families to take that first step.”
Flintshire foster carers are not on their own, they receive ongoing support and training from the fostering team. Some foster carers shared their experiences:
“It’s very rewarding, difficult at times and always a challenge.”
“They missed out on the things you take for granted with your own children. We help them with their homework and go to their parents’ evenings. We do family things; cycle rides and walks. We take them to places; judo, horse-riding. We find out what they are good at, give them opportunities and a chance. It’s the simple things.”
Local children in foster care in Flintshire recently said about their foster carers:
“I like staying with them” What would make foster care better? “Having more chocolate.” (age 6)
“I like how everyone treats me as part of their family. I get everything I need. It is fantastic.” (age 11)
“It is a very good place to be around because they care about us as if we were their own children” (age 15)
“I like how they treat me as part of their family. It’s amazing here- they are great.” (age 14)
For more information on fostering call 01352 702190 or visit www.flintshire.gov.uk/foster.
