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Care experienced young people share the foster relationships that changed their lives
Published: 15/05/2025
Young people with experience of being in care are sharing the meaningful relationships they developed through the fostering community that changed their lives for the better.
This Foster Care Fortnight, which takes place annually and falls between May 12 and May 25 in 2025, is celebrating the power of relationships.
Whether it鈥檚 the bond between a carer and a child, the relationship created with supportive social workers, or the friendships built with other foster carers in a community, strong relationships are the golden thread that run through all fostering stories.
In Wales, there are more than 7,000 children in care, but only 3,800 foster families. Foster Wales is aiming to recruit an additional 800 carers by 2028.
Kyle was just seven years old when, during the summer holidays, he needed emergency care with Foster Wales 每日大瓜.
In unfamiliar surroundings, he was unable to sleep one night so at about 3am his foster carer Gavin put a children鈥檚 film on for them to watch together, patiently keeping him company through a night of anxiety and worry.
Although he only stayed with Gavin for a few nights on that occasion, that simple act of kindness and comfort stayed with Kyle.
Ten years later, when Kyle was 17 and in need of emergency care, Gavin became his foster carer again with this short-term stay quickly becoming permanent.
Now aged 22, Kyle says he considers Gavin to be his dad and has thrived as part of an extended found family of foster 鈥渂rothers and sisters鈥�. With Gavin鈥檚 support, Kyle now lives independently and is in full time work on the IT service desk at the council. They live close, with Kyle visiting frequently.
鈥淲hen they go into this scenario, young people will be scared and will just think it's over for them, like I definitely did,鈥� Kyle said. 鈥淚 felt like there was no support, but there was.
鈥淚 don't call him dad, but whenever I talk about him I'm just like, yeah, he's my dad. He's there for any support, emotional, financial, just anything.鈥�
Gavin said: 鈥淚鈥檓 so impressed with Kyle and where he鈥檚 at given his start in life.
鈥淭he positive changes he鈥檚 made has put him where he is really. It鈥檚 the greatest satisfaction of fostering. When it works and they have the sort of life you鈥檇 want for yourself and they鈥檙e on that path. I don鈥檛 think it could be beaten.鈥�
To watch the video about Gavin and Kyle, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=HW5depTX6G4&t=4s
To find out more about becoming a foster carer in Wales, visit:聽 fosterwales.gov.wales
Would you like to have a 鈥楥uppa with a Carer鈥�? This is your chance to meet one-on-one with one of our experienced foster carers in a cosy caf茅 of your choice. To find out more about 'Cuppa with a Carer', please visit fosterwales.gov.wales/cuppa-with-a-carer/.
Meet the Foster Wales 每日大瓜 team at Well Fest on Library Field, Wrexham Town Centre, Wrexham, LL11 1AU, on May 17th between 11 AM and 4 PM.聽