Long-term partners Michael and Gemma care for two foster children in the Conwy area of North Wales.
the foster family
Michael and Gemma explored all options available to them with the help of our dedicated team. They’ve now been providing a happy foster home for over 5 years.
“About 10 years we tried to start a family but found out we weren’t able to have children of our own.”
With a strong community surrounding them, the couple felt they were doing their bit for the area as well as fulfilling their dreams.
“We chose to foster through the Conwy local authority fostering team. Community is such a big thing in Conwy, so it was important to us that we’d continue to support our community and help families who live around us.”
“It’s so supportive. It really is all about community, giving something back and becoming part of a wide and supportive community of foster carers.”
“fostering was the right thing for us”
Caring for children was always the plan for Michael and Gemma, they just weren’t sure what that would look like. Now, it’s as if it was always meant to be.
“We talked about the options we had and thought about what would be best for us.
We researched everything about adoption and fostering, and after weighing up our options, we decided that fostering was the right thing for us.”
“we give them a sense of belonging”
For these two, it was always about providing that safe space for children to become the best version of themselves. To laugh, to learn, to love. Caring for sisters Anna and Cerys has allowed them to do just that.
“About three years ago now, we started caring for sisters, Anna and Cerys who were five and seven at the time. Their mum was going through a really tough time. The girls didn’t experience any violence – nothing like that – but they just weren’t getting the care and attention they needed”.
“The biggest thing we’ve given these children is a sense of belonging. We’ve given them consistent love and support that they haven’t had before.”
want to start your own fostering family?
Michael and Gemma’s tale is heart-warming. It showcases the great work we can do together. More importantly, it shows what you can be a part of too. To start your foster care story, talk to us:
want to learn more?
Find out more about fostering and what it could mean for you.
Our fostering success stories are based on the real-life experiences of Local Authority Foster Carers in Wales. To protect their privacy, and the privacy of the children and young people to whom they provide care, love and support, all the names have been changed and actors have stepped in to help us tell their amazing stories.
