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Foster Care Fortnight 2014
Published: 13/05/2014
With Social Services departments busier than ever and on average one child
being taken into care every 20 minutes in Britain, fostering services around
the country are joining together for Foster Care Fortnight™ 2014 from Monday 12
to Sunday 25 May, to encourage more local families to offer a loving, caring
home to a child.
Flintshire Fostering Service is holding an information evening on Wednesday 14
May at the Days ‘Gateway to Wales’ Hotel, Deeside at 7pm for anyone considering
becoming a foster carer.
Flintshire foster carers, Andrew and Amanda from Holywell have been fostering
for a year and have looked after 10 children in that time. One of their first
foster children was only supposed to stay for a night but things changed and
now he’s like part of their family.
Amanda said: “We are just a normal, happy and out-going family. We wanted to
give something back and do something different. It’s exciting when the phone
rings. Children can be quite nervous when they first arrive, meeting new
people. They stay up in their bedroom and it takes time for them to come out of
their shell, for them to trust you and talk to you, it doesn’t happen
overnight.”
“We’ve jumped in with both feet and never looked back but there is lots of
support. We’ve met some lovely foster carers who have been doing this for
years, and you can ask them anything.”
“The rewards are simple; a smile or a laugh, and when the children feel
comfortable and safe here.
For a lot of the children, we’ve just had a phone call that they are coming
and you have to think quickly on your feet. You have to say ‘no’ sometimes too,
if you don’t click with the child or you feel it’s something you can’t manage.”
Matthew, 16 has been fostered by the couple for 11 months and is studying
construction at college. He now shows the new foster children the ropes when
they first arrive and tells them the house rules.
Matthew said: “It was strange when I first came here, I didn’t know where I was
going. But it’s like home to me now. I can’t put into words what they’ve done
for me. I’m lucky to have found them. They’ve done a lot and given me a lot of
support.”
He has some advice to anyone considering fostering: “Just be yourself and
listen to the children when they are ready to talk. You need lots of patience.
Don’t judge the kids by the past, make your own first impression.”
For more information about fostering and the information evening call 01352
702190 or visit www.flintshire.gov.uk/foster
Photo caption: Foster carers Andrew and Amanda.