Posted on: Monday 12 May 2025
As Foster Care Fortnight gets underway, Jesse from Torfaen has shared his story about being raised in a fostering household.
Tying in with this year’s theme - The Power of Relationships, Jesse, 16, has published a blog about his experiences growing up alongside foster children.
His parents, Amy and Gavin, have been carers with Foster Wales Torfaen for over 20 years - providing a range of short, long term, emergency, and respite care foster care to 23 children and young people.
Recalling his earliest memory at the age of five, Jesse said: "It made me feel nice that we helped people. When I was 11, my parents told me that a young person who I had always thought was my actual sister was fostered. Family is more about love than blood, and she will always be considered my sister.
"Sometimes, it’s a bit nerve-wracking having new people coming into the house, but it gets better after a few days. Sometimes it can be loud, but it is never boring here, and there is always someone to talk to.
"Being part of a fostering family has helped me with my confidence and public speaking. I am able to get along with everyone and accept everyone for who they are, not for their background or life experiences.
“There have been some difficult times, and I have heard about awful things that some of the children have gone through, but I’ve always felt supported because I am always included in every decision by my parents.
“Fostering has made me want to join a worthwhile profession when I am older. I want to be a detective, and I will possibly foster and adopt too."
You can read Jesse’s blog on the Foster Wales Torfaen website.
The demand for foster carers in Torfaen remains high.
Foster Wales Torfaen is looking for foster carers from all walks of life, whether you’re a couple, from a single parent household, LGBT+ community or are retired, they would like to hear from you.
There many different types of local authority fostering options available, including short and long-term fostering, respite care, sibling placements, and parent and child.
In light of Foster Care Fortnight, a recruitment event for prospective foster carers is being held on Wednesday 21 May, 4pm to 7pm, at Pontypool Education Centre - NP4 8AT.
Come along to talk to fostering social workers and Torfaen foster carers - who will share how becoming foster carers changed their lives for the better.
To enquire, visit the Foster Wales Torfaen website, contact the team at fosterwalestorfaen@torfaen.gov.uk, or call 01495 766669.