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Patience, care, love and trust are the cornerstone of fostering according to Ken and Yvonne Mason of Abercynon - and they should know, with over three decades' experience. Valleys Life talks to them about the joys and challenges of fostering.
H OME I S W HERE T HE H EART I S
Ken and Yvonne have been fostering for 35 years, making them the longest and most experienced foster carers in Rhondda Cynon Taf and it's their expertise and fulfilment that they hope will inspire others to follow the same path and offer children a new start in life.
Please tell us about your experiences fostering children
We married more than 40 years ago, and were inspired to reach out to children in need of care after tragically losing our son at just two years old in a road accident.
This must have been quite a difficult decision
It certainly wasn't an easy decision to make as in the 1970s, when we started fostering, the maintenance allowance for a child was a mere £3 per week.
But it wasn't just the financial implications that worried us. We were also concerned whether we were emotionally able to provide a child with the kind of love required but as we've fostered fifteen children successfully to date I think we needn't have worried!
How long did the children live with you?
The majority of our children were with us on long-term placements for multiple years. The first children placed with us were baby sisters who were initially in our care for a month. Four weeks became twelve years and the girls still maintain almost daily contact with us. Since then we've always strived to take in siblings - we believe they should stay together whenever possible.
Did you have any specialist training?
Looking back, we probably could have done with a bit more at the beginning but these days The Council provide a comprehensive training programme with a lot of support for new carers. All carers receive professional support and training including first aid, child protection and fire safety, with the chance to secure formal qualifications in childcare. There are generous fees and allowances, and incentives such as free leisure access for all the family.
What difference do you think you've made to the children's lives?
We taught every one of our children how to swim and ride a bike and by providing a safe and stable home managed to build confidence and trust resulting in a life that, has been filled with many happy memories.
As a testament to the loving home we offer to children in need, most of the children placed with us have remained in contact and we have become grandparents to a number of their children. Some of our children have even become foster parents themselves.
But its far more than just 'care' that we believe we have provided for the children. We have invited them into our homes and hearts, built their confidence, encouraged them in work and play and, most importantly, let them know that they are loved.
What has fostering brought to your lives?
Of course, life doesn't go smoothly all of the time and there have been trying times as reassuring a child who is without their parents and may have emotional or behavioural issues can sometimes be a challenge. But, quite honestly, fostering has kept us young. It is such a fulfilling life and we can't begin to explain how much of a difference it has made to us.
What advice can you offer someone considering fostering?
Our advice for anyone considering becoming foster carers is to think carefully about the age of the child and the length of time you are willing to foster for. In addition, if you have your own children already it is essential that you treat your own children and your foster children exactly the same.
Whenever a foster child is introduced to a new family,there's always apprehension on both sides. But once you give them the support and confidence they need, then you'll be surprised how quickly they accept their new surroundings and begin to trust you. It's the stepping stone to a more settled lifestyle for them and hopefully a fulfilling life for them and you too.
Ken and Yvonne continue to foster and, as a retired carpenter, Ken teaches woodwork to adults with learning disabilities in addition to training applicants hoping to become fosterers.
With over 500 children in various types of care throughout the County, the Foster Care Service needs more carers.
Rhondda Cynon Taf already boasts 153 foster carers from all walks of life, including single carers, retired couples, families and same sex couples but are continually looking for people to join its team of professional, dedicated foster carers, who earn a living by opening their homes and lives to children and young people.
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