Young couple Annabelle and Jason have young children of their own, and also foster children from the Rhondda area.
the foster family
Annabelle and Jason felt they had a really lovely life and wanted to share it with others, through fostering. After friends recommended contacting our Rhondda Cynon Taf team, they were surprised by how many options were available.
“We just assumed that we would have children here living with us for a long time. It wasn’t until our fostering team told us about short term care that we thought that might be a better option for us.”
The couple have now been fostering for three years, and started with caring for a number of children short term – which were all rewarding in different ways.
“We’ve had a couple of children stay with us for day care or for the short term. We’ve also had a young mum and her newborn baby stay with us for a couple of months. That was hard but it was amazing.”
“fostering has helped us to be better parents”
As well as the reward of seeing the difference they’re making, Annabelle and Jason also cherish all the new skills and experiences they’ve gained through fostering.
“Our fostering team gave us specialist training before the placement which has actually helped us to be better parents all around. Our social worker is always there when we need her; it’s like having the best parent training all the time!”
“all we want is to give him the opportunity to be happy”
Jason and Annabelle are currently caring for a young boy who is staying with them long-term. He sees his mum once a week and the couple know how important that relationship is for everyone.
Together, they all work as one extended family unit. Ultimately, it’s about making sure the child is safe and content, in a warm and loving home.
“All we want is to give him the opportunity to be happy and have a happy childhood. That’s what fostering is all about, I think.”
want to begin your own fostering story?
If reading Annabelle and Jason’s story has made you think more about fostering, then why not contact our team today. We are happy to answer any questions you might have, or to help you start the process of becoming a foster carer yourself. Contact us today.
want to learn more?
Find out more about fostering and what it could mean for you.
Our fostering success stories are based on the real-life experiences of Local Authority Foster Carers in Wales. To protect their privacy, and the privacy of the children and young people to whom they provide care, love and support, all the names have been changed and actors have stepped in to help us tell their amazing stories.
