A couple under the Foster Caerphilly system have retired after giving 22 years of their life to helping children through fostering.
Mair and Martyn Jones, from Merthyr Tydfil have been fostering since 2001, although Mair first fostered alone in 1999.
In 2017, Mair and Martyn transferred to Foster Caerphilly in 2017 from a different authority, and together they have fostered 14 children since 2001.
The couple are both fulltime foster carers and have dedicated the last 22 years supporting the teenagers in our community.
Mair Jones commented: “I started fostering 22 years ago. During this time, we have cared for many children from different backgrounds with different issues. It’s been challenging and rewarding at the same time.
“We’ve watched young people who were excluded from school, go on to complete university and we’ve seen young girls from difficult family backgrounds, go on to have happy families of their own – some we actually wave to on the school run every morning.
“Not all placements are successful – some children come into foster care and leave shortly after with no more contact, but others become a part of your family for ever.
“We have loved being foster carers over the past 22 years. It has enriched both our lives, and our family’s.”
Councillor Shayne Cook, Cabinet Member for Social Care, said: “I want to thank and congratulate both Mair and Martyn Jones for their dedication to supporting children in our local area throughout the last 22 years. You’ve helped so many children move on with their lives and shown them kindness, love and support.”
He continued: “Our foster carers are truly wonderful people and I would like to thank each of them for what they do and continue to do, for our young people who need support in Gwent.”
If being a foster carer sounds like a way in which you can support young people in your local community, and enrich or fulfil your own life along the way, then Caerphilly Fostering Family warmly welcomes you to embark on this journey with us. Call the team on 0800 587 5664, text ‘foster’ to 78866 or email the team at [email protected] for more information.
