The Scarlets have presented Carmarthenshire’s Fostering Recruitment Team with 10 free places on their summer rugby camp.
The places will be taken by three lucky foster children who are placed in the county with local authority-approved carers.
The free camp places were presented at the launch of Fostering Fortnight on Monday, May 17.
The two-week campaign will see recruitment teams touring the county with information stands, handing out leaflets and inviting people to consider becoming foster parents.
Part of the publicity campaign for the fortnight is the sponsorship of the Scarlets Summer Camp which will take place at Parc Y Scarlets in August.
Jackie Sloane, Fostering Recruitment Team Manager, said: “We are delighted to be working with the Scarlets to give more exposure to the fostering opportunities here in Carmarthenshire.
“We are very grateful that as part of that the Scarlets have offered us these free places on
their summer camp, which I’m sure will be enjoyed.”
Scarlets Commercial Director, Rupert Moon, said: “We are delighted to be supporting such a worthwhile cause by offering these children the opportunity to attended our Summer Camps.
“We are continually looking to develop relationships within the community and this will give these children the opportunity to meet new friends, learn some life skills and more importantly have some fun.”
People will be able to chat to members of the Fostering Recruitment Team as they visit towns across the county throughout the two weeks.
Information will also be given through the media, and to drive the message home the team has also advertised on local buses.
The key messages they will be delivering is that there are no fixed set of qualifications for fostering.
You don’t have to be married, or have children of your own, to become foster carers.
In Carmarthenshire, there is particular need for foster carers for children aged over 10, although there are other opportunities, including those with a parent and baby scheme, where foster carers support new parents.
The Fostering Service has a full support mechanism in place for people from the time they express an interest in fostering – from experienced foster carer ‘mentors’ to support groups for the children and families of carers.
Cllr Gwynne Wooldridge, executive board member for children’s services, said:
“We have an excellent reputation here in Carmarthenshire for the range of support we offer foster carers. And we must not forget the real difference these carers are making to the lives of children – they are investing in their futures.”
Anyone who wants to find out more about fostering can call 0800 0933 699 or email [email protected]. Alternatively, visit www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk
Please see below for events happening in your circulation area:
- Wednesday, May 19 – Leaflet distribution in Carmarthen Town Centre
- Thursday, May 20 – Recruitment team visits Leekes, Cross Hands, from 10am to 3pm
- Friday, May 21 – Recruitment team visits Llandeilo Market from 10am to 2pm, and Leo’s, Cross Hands, from 3pm to 7pm
- Saturday, May 22 – Recruitment team visits the Discovery Centre, Llanelli Beach, from 10am to 3pm
- Tuesday, May 25 – Recruitment team visits Morrisons, Carmarthen, from 10am to 3pm and Carmarthen Leisure Centre from 4pm-7pm
- Wednesday, May 26 – Recruitment team visits Carmarthen Market from 10am to 4pm
- Friday, May 28 – Recruitment team visits Asda, Llanelli
- Saturday, May 29 – Recruitment team visits Tesco, Llanelli, from 10am to 2pm, and Tesco, Ammanford, from 10am-2pm
