After five months as foster carers with Foster Wales Vale of Glamorgan, Anthony and Richard share their inspiring story of how their own adoption experience led them to become dedicated foster carers.
why did you want to become foster carers?
“We adopted our son through The Vale of Glamorgan Council and were inspired by his wonderful foster carer. She did an incredible job, and we saw first-hand the impact her love and care had on our son’s development. Her dedication and compassion moved us deeply and planted the seed for something more.
Her great example inspired us not only to open our home to those who need a safe and loving environment but also to support others on their journey – whether they are prospective adoptive parents, or birth families.”
did you ever worry being from the LGBTQ+ community would stop you being able to become foster carers?
“Not at all, we already had a positive experience with the Vale, Valleys and Cardiff Adoption Collaborative, so we were aware they’re fully inclusive.”
how did you find the assessment process?
“The foster process is in-depth, and rightly so. You need to be willing to be open and honest about your own life story. But our social worker made that feel safe and comfortable, creating a space where we could reflect without judgement.
We also found the training particularly interesting, and at times, very moving. It gave us a genuine insight into the role of a foster carer, the challenges looked after children may face, and the lifelong impact a stable, nurturing environment can have. The quality of the training really stands out and helped us feel prepared, informed, and inspired.”
how did it feel to be approved as foster carers?
“We were really proud, it didn’t quite sink in until we had our identity cards which says ‘Foster Carer’ with our name and picture on. We’re proud to be foster carers.”
what would be your advice to any LGBTQ+ person who might be considering foster care?
“The VOG have a lovely foster team so if you’re LGBTQ+, you’re in a safe space to be your authentic self. They also recently took part in the Barry pride, which I thought was wonderful.”
what have the highlights of your fostering journey so far?
“With our son previously being in foster care, we’re able to puzzle together and help him understand parts of his own journey through us fostering in an age appropriate way. It’s also been incredibly rewarding and without sounding cliche, it feels like something we’re meant to do.”
what has the support from Foster Wales Vale of Glamorgan been like?
“Fantastic. In particular, we’ve had great support from the social workers that we’ve worked with, we can’t sing their praises enough as they don’t get enough credit. There’s also the support you get from other foster carers as we were invited to a WhatsApp group which is really supportive and helpful.”
For anyone in the LGBTQ+ community considering foster care, Anthony and Richard’s message is clear: you belong in this space. Their journey demonstrates that with the right support, training, and commitment, foster care can be both personally fulfilling and genuinely life-changing for the children who need safe, loving homes.
After just five months, Anthony and Richard have already discovered that fostering isn’t just about providing care – it’s about finding purpose, building community, and making a lasting difference in young lives.
If Anthony and Richard’s story has inspired you, contact us here for a friendly, informal chat
