Purple rays across the city as Cardiff illuminates for Foster Care Fortnight 2023

In celebration of Cardiff’sdedicated foster carers and to mark the start ofFoster Care Fortnight, two of the city’s most iconic buildings will shine brightly this May.

Awash with purple light, the colour of Cardiff’s Foster Service – City Hall and the walls of the castle will glow at night between Monday, May 15 through to Sunday, May 28.

Organised by The Fostering Network, Foster Care Fortnight provides a chance to highlight the work carried out by foster carers and fostering professionals in helping find loving homes for young people when they need it most.

In Cardiff, the two-week period will see a city-wide advertising campaign using public transport and outdoor billboards to promote opportunities to foster with the council and raise awareness of the benefits of fostering with your local authority.

A series of events will take place across the city promoting the work of the foster care team and encouraging people to join the thousands of new foster families who are needed every year to care for Cardiff’s children.

Anyone interested in fostering can come along and talk to the team about how to make a real difference to a child’s life at any of the following events;

• Monday 16th May Llandaff North & Gabalfa Hub 10am-12pm
• Tuesday 16th May at Tesco Extra Western Avenue10.30am – 1.30pm
• Thursday 18th May at Fairwater Hub 2pm – 4pm
• Friday 19th May Rhydypennau Hub 10am-12pm
• Saturday 20th May St David’s Shopping Centre (Atrium)9.30am – 7pm
• Sunday 21st May Cardiff Castle Cardiff Castle 10am-2pm
• Monday 22nd May St. Mellons Hub 10am – 12pm
• Tuesday 23rd May 10am – 2pm Waitrose Pontprennau
• Wednesday 24th May Llandeyrn Power House Hub 10am-12pm
• Thursday 25th May Llanishen Hub 10am-12pm
• Friday 26th May Butetown Pavilion 10am – 12pm
• Sunday 28th May St David’s Shopping Centre(Atrium)10am – 5pm

Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Services, Cllr Ash Lister said:

“Foster Care Fortnight shines a light on the exceptional work being carried out by foster carers and our foster care teams, who help to provide children and young people with vital care, support and loving homes.

“There are so many children in need of a safe and nurturing environment where they feel that they belong. If you have ever thought about fostering or if you are already a foster carer and are interested in transferring to the council, our team would love to talk to you.

“By joining Foster Wales Cardiff, access will be provided to first-class support networks, varied opportunities and training and a very generous rewards package.

“To all our foster carers – past, present and future – thank you for everything which you do to provide a home for our children and young people. It is both valued and appreciated.”

While fostering can mean caring for a child long-term, many foster families help with short breaks and offer respite care. And foster carers in Cardiff are as diverse as the city itself – married, living with a partner, single, from the LGBT+ community, disabled and from many different religious and ethnic backgrounds.

Foster Wales Cardiff offers a range of generous rewards and benefits to ensure foster carers are supported, financially, professionally and emotionally. For more information on the service visit Fostering in Cardiff | Foster Wales Cardiff (gov.wales) or call 029 2087 3797.