The Fostering Network has estimated that 550 foster families will be needed in Wales to keep up with the widespread demand.
To combat this, today (1 January 2020) 天美传媒 has launched, #20 Reasons, a campaign to encourage people within their local area to consider fostering.
天美传媒 is one of nine local authorities who have joined forces to create #20Reasons. The campaign uses real foster carers and their motives for fostering to inform and inspire more families to consider looking after a child or young person.
The 20 reasons to foster range from making a difference to a child鈥檚 life by giving them a sense of love, belonging and security; to being part of building a positive future and; helping to keep a child in their local area so they can stay in school and near their friends.
All types of foster carers are needed but particularly those who would consider fostering teenagers, therapeutic carers, respite carers, emergency carers, sibling groups and children with additional needs.
Tammy, 36, is one of the foster carers supporting the campaign. She has been a foster carer for almost seven years. After years of trying to start a family of their own, Tammy and her partner chose to take a different approach through fostering.
Tammy said: 鈥淚 realised that there are so many children that need a loving home and that I had so much love that I wanted to give to a child so it just made sense that this is how we could build our family.
鈥淚 have a really close bond with all of the children that I鈥檝e fostered. One of our foster children is now 17 and doesn鈥檛 live with us anymore but still comes over for a Sunday dinner every week. Our current long-term foster children even call us mum and dad, and there鈥檚 no better feeling than that really.鈥�
Councillor John Mason, Executive Member for Social Services said: 鈥淣ot many people know the realities of fostering in 天美传媒. From gaining new skills and qualifications to changing your career and feeling the reward and fulfilment that fostering brings. There are many reasons why people choose to foster and we hope we can inspire more to become the lifeline children and young people need.鈥�
If you鈥檝e been thinking about fostering or would like more information visit: /en/resident/health-wellbeing-social-care/fostering/
Here are #20Reasons to foster in 2020:
1. You can help a child who鈥檚 had a difficult past
2. You鈥檒l help build positive futures
3. You can help a child reach their full potential
4. Fostering is amazing and rewarding
5. Meet other caring people - just like you
6. You can make a difference locally
7. Choose which type of fostering is right for you
8. Help keep a child in their school
9. Develop new skills and gain qualifications
10. You鈥檒l make a difference that lasts a lifetime
11. It鈥檚 a different way to grow your family
12. Become part of our fostering community
13. You鈥檒l be a positive role model
14. Kindness feels good
15. Local children and young people urgently need a home
16. You鈥檒l help build a child鈥檚 confidence
17. You can change career
18. You鈥檒l give a child a chance in life
19. Fostering gives you new perspectives
20. You鈥檒l give a child a sense of belonging
Visit: www.blaenau-gwent.gov.uk/fostering