There are thousands of children in need of a loving, nurturing home. If you can help just one child you will be making a difference
After 30 years working in the Gas Industry for Wales and British Gas, joining as a road worker and leaving as a senior officer, Kim David Jones from South Wales was ready for a change and had long considered becoming a foster carer. His own birth children had flown the nest and having witnessed the difference his friends were making to the lives of their foster children, Kim and his wife Caron decided the time was right, they applied online and embarked on a life-changing journey as foster carers. Six months later, following an assessment and comprehensive training from the National Fostering Group, Kim and Caron welcomed Daniel to their family – and wholeheartedly recommend others to take the leap.
When Daniel first joined them aged 10, he struggled to make eye contact, barely spoke and was unable to look after himself. He had experienced a traumatic childhood – separated from his parents and five siblings and then placed in a care setting inappropriate for his needs. He had been moved from pillar to post and high levels of anxiety impacted his behaviour. In the nurturing loving home of Kim and Caron however he soon settled. It was not long too before Kim discovered some common ground – football – the key to unlocking Daniel. Kim was a life-long supporter of Liverpool FC, Daniel a supporter of Manchester United – it was this shared interest that united them and helped them to develop a strong bond.
Having had a diagnosis of possible Autism Spectrum Disorder, Daniel was enrolled into a school with a Special Teaching Facility (STF), this met his needs perfectly. He left school with all of his expected grades and went on to study at college and is learning to drive. Daniel has just completed the first year of an apprenticeship as a brick layer – he currently spends 2 days in college and 3 days on site – he is loving it and thriving in the working world.
Now aged 18 he is officially out of foster care but is still living with Kim and Caron on a ‘When I am Ready’ scheme – this programme enables young people in foster care to remain in a stable and nurturing family environment up to the age of 21, or up to age 25 if they complete an agreed programme of education or training.
But the story doesn’t end there. Aged 14, Daniel asked Kim if his 12 year old brother Riley could join them. Like Daniel, Riley had been placed in a setting inappropriate for his needs and it was not long before the two brothers were re-united. They couldn’t have been happier.
Riley, like Daniel, suffered from extremely low self-esteem and struggled to look after himself, but in the loving home of Kim and Caron, he soon began to flourish. Again, sport proved to be the key to unlocking Riley, an athletic boy with a competitive edge and a love of the outdoors. Riley joined the same school STF unit as his brother. During a visit by the Wales disability coach, Riley was selected to join the Welsh Disability Cricket team where his talent shone through so much so that during a disability match in Port Talbot, he was spotted by the ‘mainstream’ Under 17s coach for the town cricket team. He was invited to join and that year the Under 17s team won the league and cup double. To say Kim and Caron were very proud is an understatement.
News of his sporting talents spread further, and it wasn’t long before he was approached by the captain of the local youth team and asked to join the town football club. Riley is a good goalkeeper and is looking to move on to the adult section when he is 18.
“We all need someone to believe in us,” said Kim, “someone who says, you can do it and we’ll stick by you. Riley lacked confidence, but he has proved to himself that he is as good as anyone else, if not better. Both our boys don’t want to be different; they don’t want to be labelled, they just want to fit in.”
Kim is now urging others to open their hearts to fostering. “If you have ever considered fostering, please make that call. Like me, you won’t know if it’s for you until you try it. You’ve nothing to lose and everything to gain. Becoming a foster carer is so rewarding – Caron and I give but receive so much more watching our foster children succeed – it is the best thing we’ve ever done. If you can help by fostering just one child, you will be making a difference. There are thousands more waiting for a loving, nurturing home.”
If you would like to make a real difference to the lives of vulnerable children and young people in your local community by becoming a foster carer, visit www.fostercarers.com today and start your highly rewarding fostering adventure!
* The names of the foster children and surname of the foster carers have been changed for safeguarding purposes
