The couple from Caerphilly in Wales, who have been fostering for 10 years, share the joy they experience in providing new opportunities and experiences for the children in their care.
Fostering was something that both Debbie and Geoff thought about for a long time before they finally decided to take the plunge after their own children had flown the nest. They now celebrate a decade as foster parents with FCA Cymru, and currently have a young boy in their care.
Debbie shares: “our young person who is with us now has been with us for 4 years and we took him on his first flight back in March. We went to Egypt as it’s somewhere he wanted to go after watching videos of where we’ve previously stayed. It was amazing, he’s learned to swim since being with us, so he was able to experience what it was like snorkelling.”
Geoff adds: “he’s a competent swimming now which is a life skill.”
Debbie continues “it's the things we take for granted with our own children that these young people coming into care haven’t experienced. To watch him playing on a beach for the first time and enjoying himself, you just take so much of life for granted. You expect everyone else to have the same opportunities and they haven’t. He’s part of our family and you have to treat him as such.”
She concludes: “I would say to anybody who is thinking of fostering, that no matter how small the changes, you are making a difference. Always know in your heart that if you are doing your best, you are making a difference to a young person’s life. They may not realise now, but their experiences will last a lifetime.
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