For Sally, fostering was something she always felt drawn to. “I always wanted to do it,” she says. When the chance came to take redundancy from a job she loved, she finally took the leap. With two children of her own, aged 10 and 14 at the time, Sally and her family opened their home and hearts to children in need.
Eleven and a half years later, Sally has cared for over 30 children. Some stayed for just a short time, others much longer—including children who are now part of her family for life.
What’s made the biggest difference? Relationships.
Sally remembers a child who left her care years ago but still keeps in touch. One mum even sends her a message every Mother’s Day, thanking her. “I always want to be the safe person,” Sally says, “someone they can rely on, even after they’ve moved on.”
Trust, she explains, is built with honesty and consistency. “We’re open with them, and they know they can tell us anything. Even if something goes wrong.”
Letting go is never easy. Sally recalls how hard it was when her first foster baby left. But through it all, she’s stayed in contact with many of the children who’ve passed through her home. She even worked closely with the parents of one child to support a special guardianship order, helping the child keep a strong sense of identity and connection.
Fostering has changed Sally’s whole family. Her own children have become more understanding, compassionate, and grounded. “We’ve done it as a family,” she says proudly. “It’s taught us all what really matters.”
One of the most powerful things Sally has found is the support from other foster carers. Through training and support groups, she’s made lifelong friends who understand the journey. “We pick each other up and keep going,” she says. “You dig deep—and there’s always a positive.”
She also helps children keep their own important relationships, making sure siblings in different foster homes spend time together, even taking them on holidays so they can make memories together.
Sally’s story shows that fostering is about so much more than looking after a child—it’s about building lasting, life-changing relationships.
You could be that person too.
If you’ve ever thought about fostering, now might be the time to take that step. You won’t be alone—Foster Wales is here to support you every step of the way.
Living in the Vale of Glamorgan? Send us a message and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
If you live elsewhere in Wales, visit the Foster Wales website where you can find all the information and contact your local authority service.
