As part of this year’s Foster Care Fortnight, we’re celebrating the power of relationships—the bonds that transform lives, create stability, and help children thrive. Delwara, a foster carer with 15 years of experience, shares how strong, caring relationships have shaped her fostering journey.
Delwara has been a foster carer since 2010, sharing the role with her husband. Together, they’ve welcomed and supported children from all walks of life, while also raising children of their own. Over the past 15 years, they’ve mainly provided long-term care and still support three young people in their home today.
Delwara first thought about fostering after speaking with a neighbour who was a foster carer. “She told me how rewarding it was, and I realised it was something I really wanted to do,” she says. “I liked the idea of helping vulnerable children and giving back to the community.”
At first, Delwara saw fostering as simply doing a job—but over time, she realised how deep those relationships can grow. “Now some of the young people see us more as family than their own. I want them to know I’ll always be here for them, even if they move out. They need to feel safe and know that relationship won’t end.”
Building trust isn’t always easy, but Delwara takes time to understand each child’s story. “Listening and empathising is so important. You start to see what they’ve been through and find better ways to help them.”
Fostering has its challenges too. “It can be emotionally draining,” she admits. “Some children come with behaviours you need to understand before you can help. One child was afraid of showers because he’d been punished with cold ones in the past. Another would scream and explode until I learned what triggered those feelings. Once I understood him better, it changed everything.”
For Delwara, the most powerful thing a foster carer can offer is simple: “Be there, listen, don’t judge. That’s enough.”
Support from other carers and the Foster Wales Cardiff team has been a big help along the way. “We’ve got a group of carers who meet regularly with the children, especially if they’re siblings—we make sure they stay connected. And I know I can always rely on the team for training, counselling, or just someone to talk to.”
The rewards make it all worthwhile. “One of the young people I cared for failed her GCSEs, but she didn’t give up. She tried again, did an apprenticeship, came back home for a while, and eventually completed a degree. She’s an amazing young woman now.”
For Delwara, fostering has been life-changing. “I’m so grateful I became a foster carer. Helping children, making their lives better, and supporting the community—it’s one of the best things I’ve ever done.”
Interested in fostering?
If reading Delwara’s story has encouraged you to think about becoming a foster carer, then we’d love to hear from you.
Living in Cardiff, Wales? Send us a message and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
If you live elsewhere in Wales, visit the Foster Wales website where you can find all the information and contact your local authority service.
