Carers share their special moments for Foster Fortnight

This week is Foster Fortnight which aims to raise the profile of fostering and show how foster care transforms lives.

The theme this year is #FosteringMoments and carers with Foster Wales Swansea, the council's fostering service, have been sharing moments, big and small, that have left a lasting impression with them.

Holly Bowtell and her family have been fostering for just over a year and she says it's the best decision they made.

Holly said: "My favourite fostering moment is probably taking the boy that we have with us on holiday. We went to France, and it was the first time he has ever been out of the country and just seeing his little face, his massive smile, and how excited he got when he saw the swimming pool for the first time, it was just so amazing, and it made the holiday just really special for all of us."

Claire Hyett-Evans and her family have been fostering for six years. One of her favourite fostering moments happened recently: "The little boy that we care for has always had difficulties with his emotions - feeling his emotions, naming his emotions and being able to describe how he feels.

"We had a little one leave us recently, which naturally I got upset about. He was there and saw me cry. He came over to me and said 'Claire, do you need a hug'.

When Mike, my husband, walked him to school, he told Mike that he was really worried about me because I was crying.

"Although Mike told him that I was going to be fine that day in school he asked his teacher if he could pick a prize from the prize box.

"He picked me a gummy bear ring and when he got home, he was so excited to give it to me.

"We had a cuddle on the sofa that evening. I told him how proud I was of him and thanked him for being so kind to me. I was just so proud at that moment to think that he'd done a 360 and had given us the love that we show him."

Every foster carer will talk about the various rewards of fostering, often these are small moments or small wins where a child has done something for the first time.

But all too often, people who are interested in fostering don't because they say that they could never give the children up.

Zoe Williams, a foster carer of 11 years who specialises in moving babies and young children on for adoption, said: "It does break our hearts every time a baby or child leaves us. The way I deal with it is by knowing that I have cared and loved each and every one of them for the time they've been with us, providing them with a good start and preparing them for their move back home or onto their adoptive family."

Tracey Iturbe who has fostered in total for 13 years, said: "My top tip is, don't wait, got for it, you won't regret it."

Suzanne and Paul, who have been foster carers for 20 years, said one their favourite fostering moments is when they had a phone call 10 years ago to take a little baby with down syndrome who then later became their own daughter.

Julie Nugent, a foster carer for 19 years, said: "My biggest fostering moment happened recently. I was asked to be godmother to a little one that moved on last year to their adoptive parents. It's just absolutely amazing."

Foster Wales Swansea are looking for people to be part of a community which encourages children in foster care to have high aspirations and reach for the stars.

Cllr Louise Gibbard, Cabinet Member for Care Services, said: "Foster care is a vital service for the children and families in our community. Foster care is at the heart of our community, and we're proud of our wonderful foster carers who keep children near the people and places they know and love. Behind every successful foster child is a loving foster carer who believes in their potential.

"During Foster Care Fortnight, I encourage everyone to consider learning more about becoming a foster carer as we need more people who can provide loving home to local children. There is no such thing as an ideal foster carer and there are so many ways to foster, many of them are flexible and you could make a real difference to a child's life."

If you live in Swansea, you can find out more about fostering on Foster Wales Swansea's website: www.swansea.fosterwales.gov.wales. If you would like to speak to a member of our experienced team for an informal chat, ring 0300 555 0111.