Swansea families who have children urged to consider fostering
A 14-year-old girl who is part of a Swansea family who foster says it makes her happy that they are able to offer children who need it a safe and loving home.
This month is Children of Foster Carers Month, which recognises and celebrates the invaluable role that children of foster carers play within their fostering family.
Ultimately, it's not just parents that foster, their own children do too. They share their home, family, and sometimes belongings and at times need to cope with difficult and challenging behaviour.
Many people say while they are really interested in fostering, they are too worried about the impact it will have on their own children and is a big reason why they choose not to become foster carers.
However, Foster Wales Swansea, the council's fostering service, currently has 126 fostering families, 47% of which have their own children still living at home.
Joy Stock, aged 14, is just one of many who enjoys being part of a fostering family.
She said: "I really enjoy fostering, it's so rewarding. It's all so worth it when you see the smiles on the children's faces, when you make them laugh, do things together as a family that they haven't done before, and simply share your home with them. It makes me feel so happy."
When a child goes to live with foster families for the first time, it's naturally daunting for them, but it can also be nerve racking for the children of foster carers.
Joy said: "When our first child came to stay with us, it felt a little bit strange at first, but it was so wonderful to be able to give him a loving home. All I wanted was to make him feel safe and comforted."
There are many ways in which fostering has benefitted foster carers' own children. It can help them to grow and develop, and learn the importance of being empathetic, caring, and understanding.
Joy added: "When I was younger, I used to think that every child had a mummy and a daddy that is always there to care and nurture them. However, when I grew up, I unfortunately realised that's not always the case. I have learnt that every family is different and that's okay as there are lots of people out there who are willing to nurture them in the way they need and deserve.
"My best memory of fostering so far has been knowing that I am making a massive difference in their lives. Other favourite memories are reading to the foster child at nighttime; singing their favourite songs together in the car; helping with homework; dancing with them and playing games."
Swansea Council's Cabinet Member for Care Services, Louise Gibbard, said: "We truly value the role that children of foster carers play in the fostering household. They do an amazing job, and we'd like to thank them for the wonderful support and care they offer.
"We know for some families, the potential impact on their children is a barrier to becoming a foster carer. Many wait to foster until their own children have reached adulthood and flown the nest. Whilst this is totally understandable, so many of our foster carers' own children are testament to the positive impact that growing up in a fostering family can have on them."
Foster Wales Swansea offers a support group for foster carers' own children, as well as many activities and events, giving them the opportunity to meet other children of foster carers who can share and understand their experiences.
If you would like to find out more information on fostering, especially how it would fit into your family dynamic, visit www.swansea.fosterwales.gov.wales or ring 0300 555 0111.