For more than a decade, Nicola has been helping some of Cardiff’s youngest children find safety, stability and love. Since starting her fostering journey in 2015 and joining Foster Wales Cardiff in 2017, she and her husband Richard have cared for more than 20 children, mainly babies and young children on a short-term basis.
A journey that started with a conversation
Nicola originally fostered with an independent agency but decided to explore fostering with Cardiff Council after speaking to another foster carer.
“We were with a private agency, but after the children we cared for returned to their parents, we didn’t have any placements for eight months. I met a foster carer from Cardiff Council, looked into it and went through the assessment process again. It’s worked out brilliantly.”
Fostering had always appealed to Nicola, who wanted to work with children while raising her own family. At the time, she had two children living at home, and Richard later joined her as a full-time foster carer.
“I can’t believe we’ve been foster carers for over ten years. It’s gone so fast.”
Seeing children thrive
Today, Nicola and Richard care for children aged 0 to 3, helping provide stability in the early stages of their lives.
For Nicola, the greatest reward is seeing children settled and ready for the next chapter of their journey.
“Seeing a child walk through the door and walk out to their new family is amazing.”
“We spend time with their new family, and we know they’re going to have a wonderful life.”
Many of the children they have cared for have gone on to adoption, while others have returned to family members. Nicola still receives photos, Christmas cards and updates from some of the children she looked after years ago.
“Two little boys who left us at 18 months old are nearly ten now. It’s lovely to see them growing up and thriving.”
Becoming part of the family
The children who come into Nicola and Richard’s home quickly become part of everyday family life.
“The babies slot into normal life. We have breakfast together, do the school run and work around nap times. They become part of the family.”
Routine plays an important role in helping children feel secure and settles them into family life.
Everyone in the wider family gets involved too.
“Everyone calls my dad Bampi, and the children in our care do as well. I treat them no differently from my own.”
When children first arrive, Nicola focuses on helping them feel welcome and safe.
“We follow their lead, show them around the house and make everything friendly and light.”
She remembers one young girl who arrived upset and unsure, but quickly settled with the help of Nicola’s adopted daughter, who sat colouring and chatting with her.
Years later, the girls still keep in touch.
The challenges and rewards of fostering
While fostering is incredibly rewarding, Nicola is honest about the emotional impact.
“The second foster child we had, everyone fell in love with them. It was a form of grief when they left.”
Over the years, the family has learned how to prepare themselves when children move on.
“We’ll still be blubbering wrecks, but we start preparing ourselves as soon as we know a move is coming.”
Despite the goodbyes, Nicola says the rewards far outweigh the challenges.
“Just knowing that we’re helping keeps us going. It’s a privilege to see children grow and thrive.”
Support along the way
One of the biggest misconceptions about fostering, Nicola says, is that carers are left to manage on their own.
“People don’t realise how much support there is out there.”
She credits Foster Wales Cardiff and her supervising social workers with providing invaluable support, guidance and training throughout her fostering journey.
“There is a whole community around you.”
Advice for future foster carers
For anyone considering fostering, Nicola’s advice is simple:
“Do your homework and ask loads of questions.”
She encourages people to think carefully about how fostering will affect the whole family, while remembering the difference they can make in a child’s life.
“It’s rewarding. It’s tiring. But the difference you see in a child from the day they’re dropped off to the day they move on is amazing.”
After more than ten years and over 20 children, Nicola can sum up her fostering journey in just three words:
“Best experience ever.”
Interested in fostering?
If you would like to find out more about fostering get in touch with our team:
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.
