Hear a teenager's story of how her foster family transformed her life

More foster families are needed to meet the growing number of children going into care. That's the call from The Foster Care Co-operative in Wales who say there's a shortfall of nearly 600 new foster parents, and say people are being put off because they aren't sure whether they will meet the requirements.

Rachel's like many other sixteen-year-olds.  She is in college and has a part-time job.  But she's also fostered - living with Gilly Davies and her husband in Merthyr Tydfil.

“I was a young carer when I was living at home and things broke down... I just couldn't balance both.  So I went into care, and I've had three placements.  This one's been really successful.”  Says Rachel

Gilly has two-grown up children of her own, but says those she fosters are very much part of the family; "Being a Foster Carer isn't like a 9 to 5 it is a 24 hour job.  When a new child comes to live with you, it does take time to get to know each other and settle into a routine.  It is hard work, we have tough times - but these are certainly outweighed by the good times.  I want those who have thought about it to make the initial call.”

There is an issue with there not being enough carers, because unfortunately there are a lot of children who do need a foster home, and just not enough people coming forward at the moment.

“I think part of the problem is there are a lot of stereotypes around fostering, so people don't think that they could be considered as a foster carer or are nervous about coming forward.”  Kim Perkins, Registered Manager (Wales) for The Foster Care Co-Operative

Rachel's now looking ahead to university, and wants people to see how a stable foster home has changed her life for the better.

Watch the video here:
http://www.itv.com/news/wales/2015-02-08/more-than-500-new-foster-carers-are-needed-in-wales-warns-charity/

Source:
http://www.fostercarecooperative.co.uk/fostering-with-us/news-and-events/hear-a-teenagers-story-of-how-her-foster-family-transformed-her-life/

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