TWO women from the Vale of Glamorgan have shared their thoughts on being foster carers.

Foster Wales - a national network of the 22 Welsh local authorities - has an ongoing campaign to increase the number and diversity of foster carers across the country and to enable children - when appropriate - to remain in their local areas.

In Wales there are hundreds of children looking for a home, with 39 per cent of Welsh adults saying they have considered becoming a foster carer.

Sharon Thomas has been fostering in the Vale for 27 years and was recently awarded an MBE for her work but says she “doesn’t do it for recognition”.

“It’s so lovely when you see the children come on,” said Ms Thomas.

“You don’t expect things in return but it’s great as you do get things back from them. I started fostering before the birth of my youngest child and he has grown up with me as a foster carer, along with my other children.

“Fostering was completely different back then but with the changes in society the role has changed with it.

“Before the pandemic I had always fostered teenagers and never saw myself as fostering younger ones, but when the pandemic hit I was asked to take on some younger siblings.

“Although I do miss the teenagers as I love the positive relationships I have with them, I love the younger ones and can’t imagine my life without them now.

“You have to be a certain type of person to foster. But if you considering it, go for it because you can make a huge difference in children’s lives and see how they develop.

“I’ve no regrets over working for the Vale Council. I’ve had some really happy times and some really tough times, but I’ve come through it with the support of the Vale behind me.”

Nicky Howard-Kemp is another foster carer from the Vale, who recently attended a promotional event in Cardiff in which life-size front doors were unveiled outside the Senedd as Foster Wales invited people to consider opening their homes to help accommodate children in need.

Ms Howard-Kemp said: “I am staunchly proud to be a foster carer working with our local authority and this new initiative bringing together all 22 Welsh councils can only bring immense benefit to both foster carers and - more importantly the children and young people we are supporting.

“I see our role as foster carers as being there to guide, mentor and nurture our young people. Being a foster carer is such a rewarding role and I would encourage anyone considering fostering to just pick up the phone and have a chat.

“If you can change the life of just one young person for the better you will make a positive difference and there really is no greater feeling than that.”

To find out more about fostering in the Vale of Glamorgan visit www.valeofglamorgan.fosterwales.gov.wales