To highlight this year’s Foster Care Fortnight, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Fostering Team are hosting a series of ‘drop-in’ sessions across the county borough.

With more than 300 children currently being looked after by foster carers in Neath Port Talbot, the team is encouraging anyone who is interested in becoming a foster carer to come along to one of the sessions. The sessions will give people the chance to find out more about what is involved in becoming a foster carer, the ongoing support that is available and the opportunity to ask the team questions.

Throughout the two weeks, the Team will be at Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen Library from 3:30pm to 5:30pm on Wednesday, May 15, Pontardawe Library from 10am until 12pm on Tuesday, May 21 and Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen Library from 10am to 12pm on Friday, May 24.

Foster Care Fortnight is the UK’s biggest foster care awareness raising campaign, delivered by leading fostering charity, The Fostering Network. The campaign showcases the commitment, passion and dedication of foster carers. It also supports the Fostering Team to highlight the need for more foster carers.

Councillor Alan Lockyer, Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Services, said:

“We are passionate about the difference that foster care makes to the lives of fostered children and young people, and Foster Care Fortnight is an excellent opportunity to showcase that difference.

“We are always looking for new carers who have the desire to provide a secure and welcoming home for vulnerable children. This could include people from a wide range of backgrounds and family make-up such as people who are single, families with children or same sex couples.

“I would encourage anyone who is interested about foster care to come along to one of our information points and speak to the team.”

The theme for this year’s Foster Care Fortnight is ‘Change a Future’. The theme is aiming to help raise awareness of how foster carers can make a positive change to the future of children and young people. Using the hashtag #changeafuture, people are being encouraged to share a particular moment in their life that had a major influence on their future.

For more information about fostering in Neath Port Talbot, visit www.npt.gov.uk/fostering or search for their Facebook page, Fostering NPT.