IF you have room in your hearts to love and care for a child and a spare bedroom then you could start a career as a foster carer regardless of your age.

Carmarthenshire council’s fostering service are holding an information evening on July 13 to show that fostering can keep you eternally young and be rewarding both emotionally and financially.

Carmarthenshire county executive board member for children’s services Councillor Gareth Jones said the information evening was a wonderful opportunity for people to determine if fostering would suit their lifestyle.

Experienced foster carers and members of the fostering service team will be on hand to talk to anybody who is interested in fostering and offering a safe and stable home for some of the county’s most vulnerable children of all ages and in particular teenagers.

The fostering team are also looking for carers who are able to offer part-time short break care for children with disabilities at weekends and during holidays.

Cllr Jones said: “Carers come from all walks of life. Those empowered with wide life experiences are extremely valued.

“People often ask and wonder what makes a good foster carer. It is no big secret.

““What do you get out of fostering besides improving the lives of children who may not have had the best start in life?

“Ask yourself do you like a challenge? Do you enjoy feeling fulfilled and valued? Carmarthenshire welcomes applications from single, married, same sex couples, or people who rent or own their own home.

“Foster carers really are ordinary people. They look like you and me and they are achieving extraordinary things.”

“Carmarthenshire offers more than just the weekly fostering fee if you decide to foster with us you will receive excellent practical and emotional support as well as individual packages of care, strong social work and peer mentor support, social activities, financial help with children’s activities, essential equipment and travel expenses.

“The county offer high quality ongoing training to foster carers who become valued members of a professional team of workers.

Contact 08000933699 to find out more or go along to the information evening at Cross Hands Workingman’s Club on Wednesday between 6-9pm.