Foster carer urges other families to join in and change a life

Lucy and Johnny Martin, who have three children of their own and hold down busy working lives at Swansea Council, say an increasing number of employers are helping out through the ‘Fostering-Friendly Employer’ initiative.

Swansea Council was awarded Fostering Friendly status earlier this year by the Fostering Network, following in the footsteps of Welsh insurance giant Admiral.

Lucy says family and work life has been made much easier by having fostering friendly employers around like Swansea Council and Admiral.

It’s because foster family parents are allowed additional time off to attend meetings, training, and settle a child into their home.

They have experienced greater flexible working in general and cite the extra support as invaluable.

Lucy said: “Family life was already quite busy before we made the leap into fostering, as both my husband and I work full time and we have three children of our own.

“Initially we thought we might be taking on too much with fostering and our work commitments, but fortunately both our employers are fostering friendly and have been incredibly supportive throughout our fostering journey.

“We feel we manage brilliantly now, and although life is even busier since welcoming another child into our home, with it has come even more fun, laughter and a load of new adventures!”

She added: “We are encouraging more local businesses to achieve a fostering friendly status, just like Admiral did recently.”

Louise Gibbard, Cabinet Member for Care Services said: “Swansea Council is very proud to have been awarded ‘Fostering Friendly’ status. We want to set an example to other employers and our own staff that you can be a foster carer and be in full-time work as well.

“I’d like to thank Lucy, Johnny and their children for their commitment to helping children in foster care have the best possible start in life. They are changing lives for the better.”

(Lead image: Swansea Council)