Foster Care Fortnight shines light on Vale foster carers’ work
As part of The Fostering Network’s national awareness and recruitment campaign, Barry Island’s Western Shelter and the Hood Road tunnel will be lit in orange and the public are being asked to join in by placing a lamp in their front window on Thursday, May 20.
This year’s theme, #WhyWeCare, draws inspiration from Welsh artist, Nathan Wyburn. Nathan is known for creating unique pieces of art, including one piece that uses LED lights that illustrates how any house can become a safe and loving home.
The campaign aims to ‘shine a light’ on the work being done by Local Authority foster carers, and celebrate their efforts in transforming children and young people’s lives.
Buildings across Wales, including Barry Island’s Western Shelter and the Hood Road tunnel will also be up in orange to observe the remarkable work they do.
Cllr Ben Gray, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, said, “Foster carers provide day-to-day support, love and stability to children and young people who can’t live with their birth families.
“While many of us may have been unhappy about spending the best part of the last year cooped up at home, for some young people they can only dream of having the sense of safety, security and comfort that home has provided us with. It’s quite simply something that can seem out of reach to some children and young people.”
Hundreds of new foster families are needed every year in Wales to care for children of all ages, and in particular for sibling groups, older children and young people, children with additional needs, and unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.
The Vale of Glamorgan Council will be sharing content across their social media channels throughout Foster Care Fortnight to help more people understand and value fostering and the positive difference it can make to young people’s lives.
If you think you could make a difference by becoming a foster carer in the Vale, visit:
https://forms.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/en/FosteringInterest