Here in Bridgend we have a varied community of foster carers, including single foster carers like Jo, who started fostering a few years ago.
the foster family
Jo chose to foster for a number of reasons, but one thing that really influenced her decision was having a best friend in foster care when she was a girl.
“She would always come around to our house, but one day, I went around to hers to see if she wanted to play and her foster parents said she had left. I never saw her again. That memory stayed with me for life”
For Jo, joining our Foster Wales Bridgend team means helping children stay in the local places they know and love, and maintaining those important bonds with friends and family.
“It’s so supportive. It really is all about community, giving something back and becoming part of a wide and supportive community of foster carers.”
“there’s no such thing as ‘typical fostering’”
Jo started by fostering babies and young children, but now she’s taken in all sorts of children, of different ages and with different needs. She knows first-hand how diverse the fostering experience is.
“I’ve learned that there’s no such thing as ‘typical fostering’. There are so many children in different situations with different needs. I’ve fostered siblings, teenagers, children with complex needs and babies.”
“they’re constantly surprising me”
Jo currently cares for 17-year-old Jenny, who used to live with her nan but who sadly passed away.
“It was a very traumatic time for Jen. We’ve developed a lovely bond, she said she’s really happy and wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
Jenny’s dream is to become a doctor. As her foster carer, Jo is helping her on the way with lots of encouragement and support.
“She’s studying to get into college and is learning to drive, and I’m actually enjoying helping her with her revision, and taking her out for extra driving practice.”
Jo also cares for brothers Alex and Ben, who have been in foster care since the age of two and four.
“Everything that we take for granted like bedtime, bath time, even tea time was a struggle at first. But they are different boy’s now, so full of fun and energy. They love their swimming lessons and football club. They are constantly surprising me and doing new things every day.”
want to start your own fostering journey?
If reading Jo’s story has inspired you to become a foster carer yourself, then we’d love to hear from you. Reach out today by filling in the form below, and a member of our team here in Bridgend will be in touch.
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.
