Newport County is pleased to support and promote Foster Wales Newport at Saturday’s League Two clash with Gillingham at Rodney Parade (3pm).
The club has been helping to raise the profile of the life-changing service throughout the season with complimentary LED and big screen advertising on matchdays plus a static board displayed on the Compeed Terrace.
On Saturday we will welcome one of the special families to Rodney Parade who have been providing valuable fostering support to children in the Newport community.
Laura and Dean are foster carers for Foster Wales and Newport City Council. Their teenage sons, Ellys and Evan, will lead the teams out on Saturday as mascots in recognition of the family’s fantastic support for Foster Wales Newport
“We have been fostering for approximately three years,’’ said Laura. “We have looked after a couple of young people so far and absolutely love it.
“We have two teenage sons of our own who enjoy being part of a fostering household, while our wider family also help out.’’
Laura used to be a hairdresser and a teaching assistant, while Dean is an office manager; highlighting the fact that you don’t need to have worked with children to become a foster carer.
“We like supporting the children when they arrive,’’ added Dean. “Seeing them settle down, thrive and feel at home with us is very rewarding.”
“We enjoy working alongside the other people in the children’s lives including their family, school and health service.”
“We love being foster carers and would encourage others to consider doing it themselves.’’
About Foster Wales
Fostering means accepting a child as part of your family when they are unable to live with their own. It could be for a night, a month, a year or several years. At the heart of any foster placement is a dedication to make a difference – to change the course of a child’s life.
Foster carers provide a fresh start and a new family, but this doesn’t mean erasing the past – the important bonds foster children have with their biological families are maintained too.
Preserving friendships, familiar places and everything that matters to the child is central to what Foster Wales does. That’s why they will always prioritise placing children in their local community if it is the right thing for them.
As a local foster carer, you will have an important role: to make sure the child feels safe, supported and happy. The role of Foster Wales is to support you in every way they can.
Your local Foster Wales team will work together with you, the children in your care and every professional around the child as part of the same service.
You’ll also have access to a range of support groups, including professional support 24/7.
Whatever you need, whenever you need it, Foster Wales will be there.
If you would like to consider joining the foster care family, visit https://fosterwales.gov.wales for more details.