In this blog we are celebrating success and wishing John and Joy a happy retirement and thanking them for fostering with us for all those years. Congratulations to you both on your 50th Wedding Anniversary!
John and Joy Crosby were approved as foster carers in May 1975.
They were motivated to foster when they heard about twin babies and wanted to be able to offer them a home. This was the start of a long and unwearied relationship between John, Joy and Rhondda Cynon Taf Children’s Services.
During those 45 years, John and Joy welcomed 100 babies into their home. Supported by their own daughters, John and Joy quickly found a great deal of pride and fulfilment in fostering and soon, it became a way of life for them both.
John and Joy now have a bench and tree in Ynysangharad Park Pontypridd to thank them for all they did for us.
To celebrate their well-deserved retirement from the fostering service, Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council has planted a tree and erected a bench in their honour at Ynysangharad War Memorial Park. It’s hoped these will be a lasting legacy for John and Joy, whose positive contribution to the lives of so many cannot be overstated.
The tree symbolises the 100 lives that they nurtured and helped to grow throughout their fostering careers and the bench contains a dedication, written by their daughters Rebecca and Rachel that reads: “For John and Joy Crosby, who in 45 years of fostering never sat still but were moved to care for 100 babies in Rhondda Cynon Taf.”
The tree and bench were unveiled during Covid in December 2020. There are many people from Rhondda Cynon Taf’s Children’s Services team who want to thank John and Joy for their significant contribution to fostering in the local authority.
Councillor Christina Leyshon, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services at the time said: “It is hard to contemplate the longevity of John and Joy’s career and the exceptional contribution that they have made to fostering in Rhondda Cynon Taf. They will be sorely missed by everyone who has had the pleasure of working with them over the years.”
In 2007 they went to London to visit The Queen!
In 2007, John and Joy were both recognised by The Queen and awarded MBE’s for their services to fostering.
Rhondda Cynon Taf’s Director of Children’s Services, Annabel Lloyd conveyed her appreciation to the couple by saying: “Thank you John and Joy, your care and kindness is an inspiration to us all. You are an outstanding family. Wishing you a well-deserved long and happy retirement.”
Are you thinking about becoming a foster carer?
Although retired now, John and Joy are still involved with Foster Wales RCT and support us in many ways.
Have John and Joy inspired you to consider becoming a foster carer?
Foster Wales RCT are keen to hear from anyone who has space in their home and time in their life to care for a child or young person. You can learn more on our website, contacts us here or call us on 01443 425007 for a relaxed chat about becoming a foster carer.
