Have you thought about fostering?

WITH A SHORTAGE of foster carers across Ceredigion, an annual awareness-raising campaign which encourages people to co nsider fostering is taking place between Monday (May 16) and Sunday May 29.

Foster Care Fortnight has been established to motivate Ceredigion residents with the right skills and qualities needed to foster to come forward to provide placements for children in safe and caring homes across the county.

Julie Murphy, Acting Team Manager, said: “We have had the support of some wonderful and passionate people and their families over the years providing a diverse range of placements.

“We are facing more complex challenges in the placements we are being asked to provide, so we would love to hear from anyone interested in becoming a foster carer.”

Ceredigion County Council has an enthusiastic and dedicated Fostering Service Team who are looking to recruit carers from a variety of different backgrounds, to try and make the right matches to the right children to ensure their specific needs are met.

The authority are looking for people who are interested in caring for children of all age groups and genders. Placements are also needed to ensure that brothers and sisters are able to remain together.

Foster Carer Mentor Lynne Tamblyn, who has been fostering children for 11 years, said: “Being a foster carer is immensely satisfying and a role we would definitely recommend to anyone thinking about becoming one.

“By working with the local authority, we have had the support and advice needed to meet the day-to-day needs of the children we’ve cared for, and we are proud we have made such a difference to so many lives.”

If you are interested in becoming a foster carer, or would like to know more, call 01545 574000 for an informal chat.

More information can also be found on Ceredigion County Council’s website, or by attending one of the Fostering Information Sessions which are being held on Thursday May 26 at the Morlan Centre in Aberystwyth and on Friday May 27 at Cardigan Castle. Both sessions are running between 11am and 2pm.