'I don't think I'd be here today if it wasn't for my foster family'
Young adults who have been through the foster care system have spoken about the transformative influence of supportive foster carers on their lives, enabling them to attend university, receive financial support, and providing a safe haven.
During this Foster Care Fortnight, care leavers have expressed how fostering has offered them opportunities they might not have otherwise had, resulting in positive experiences despite the system often receiving negative press. They are sharing their stories in an effort to assist others.
Jake Jamieson, a 26 year old personal trainer from Gwynedd, entered foster care at the age of seven. He lived with several foster families before finally joining Sian and Owain's family full-time at 18, having previously spent time with them during summer camps.
Jake shared: "I was in that time of life when you start a bit of independent living because you're going to university but you still need that support network to go through that transition. I'm extremely grateful they've allowed me to be part of their family, it's been great ever since."
Despite being placed with various families, Jake said his childhood remained relatively stable as he was able to stay in the same school and maintain his friendships.
He continued: "I don't think I would be where I am in life right now if I didn't go into care. Sian and Owain, they've been brilliant role models for me, helped me through university and helped me set up normal stuff like guarantors and bills.
"You always need your mum and dad to help you with things like that."
Jake credited his foster parents, who have three children of their own and extensive experience in fostering, for being integral to his life. He still returns to their home for celebrations and holidays such as Christmas and Easter and reciprocates by hosting them at his place.
The family connection is strong, with shared vacations often taking them to Turkey.
On the professional front, Jake has channeled his studies in sport and nutrition into a career, running his successful personal training business. He enthused: "I absolutely love it, I've found my purpose and I just went with it. It's ironic because I'm helping people be better versions of themselves and that's sort of what happened to me." Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now
He also tackled the stigma surrounding foster care, sharing his perspective: "I think foster care can sometimes get a bad rep. When I tell people I was brought up in care their instant reaction would be: 'Oh I'm sorry to hear that.' I understand they are thinking he's obviously gone through something to be in that situation but I always say don't be sorry.
"For me it's been nothing but positive, if anything I just feel a bit privileged to be able to have those opportunities which I probably wouldn't have had if I didn't go into care. Overall it's a very very positive experience."
Discussing advice for youth in care, he offered these words of encouragement: "I would say don't let your past define you. Just because you may have had a bad start in life doesn't mean it needs to go on in that way. Find something that gives you purpose and go with it!".
Lisa Bellis, a 27 year old from Wrexham, is soon to embark on her career as a healthcare nurse. She went into foster care at the age of seven, taken on by Gary and Del. She faced early obstacles after being told she had the learning capacity of a two year old due to missing school.
Against the odds, Lisa learned to read and write, excelled in her high school exams, and has just completed her nursing degree. Reflecting on her journey, Lisa remarked: "I always say I don't think I'd be here today if it wasn't for them."
Having grown up with her foster parents' biological children and other foster kids who she views as siblings, Lisa holds a deep appreciation for Gary and Del's selflessness. With humour, she said that the family seems unable to cut ties with her now.
Grateful for their exceptional care, Lisa shared: "They always went above and beyond. They've taken me on about four holidays and always got me things I wanted. It's meant a lot because I didn't have that love and care they've shown me and people deserve a second chance in life."
Now a mother to a young daughter of five, Lisa praises how Del and Gary dote on her child, treating her like a grandchild. She light-heartedly added: "If anything they spoil her too much!".
"It's obviously scary when you come into care because you don't know these people and you may not know why you're there. But it does get easier. You've just got to trust the process and you've got to trust them because they're there to support and show you what love actually is and what a family is.".
According to Welsh Government data, there are currently over 7,198 children in care in Wales. However, the system faces significant strain due to a shortage of foster families, with only 3,800 available.
This scarcity of suitable foster carers can lead to siblings being separated, children being relocated away from their familiar surroundings, and insufficient support for young people.
Those interested in becoming foster carers can find more information through Foster Wales. Alastair Cope, head of Foster Wales, highlighted the importance of Foster Care Fortnight in recognising the individuals who make a lasting impact on the lives of numerous children in Wales.
Cope stated, "Foster Care Fortnight always offers a brilliant opportunity to celebrate the people who create lasting change in the lives of so many children in Wales."
He added, "Every fostering journey relies on strong, trusting relationships to create the stability within a loving home that all children deserve. Whether between a foster carer and a child, a child with their foster siblings, or between a family and their social worker, these relationships open up new possibilities for a child's future and help support them into successful independent lives."
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