Welsh artist Nathan Wyburn wants to shine a light on the work Rhondda Cynon Taf foster carers do, as the National Lido of Wales, Lido Ponty, lights up in orange this Foster Care Fortnight.
While many of us have had family and friends there to support us during difficult times faced over the last year, many children and young people across Wales need that support more than ever before.
Now, as Foster Care Fortnight – a national awareness raising and recruitment campaign run by The Fostering Network – begins, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council is calling on more people in RCT to consider fostering.
With this year’s theme being ‘#WhyWeCare’, Welsh artist, Nathan Wyburn, who is known for his unique methods of creating art, has produced a piece using LED lights to help prove how any house can become a safe and loving home.
Nathan said, “I was sent a poem that encompassed everything foster carers do in providing a brighter future for children across Wales and wanted to create something that champions them in the way they open the doors to their homes – and their hearts.
“I chose to turn those words into art with a piece that signifies a home being the literal light at the end of the tunnel for children and young people.
“I think one of the biggest myths around fostering is that you have to have a big house with a big garden to be a foster carer – and that’s just not true.”
A video showing a time-lapse of the piece coming together and overlaid with said poem shows how the context of the art is unclear, “It’s only when the lights are switched on, there is clarity,” adds Nathan.
“A sense of possibility and positivity shines through!”
Now people across RCT are being asked to show their support for Foster Care Fortnight by placing a lamp in their front window next Thursday (20th May) to ‘shine a light’ on the work being done by Local Authority foster carers, and celebrate their efforts in transforming children and young people’s lives. Buildings across Wales, including the National Lido of Wales, Lido Ponty, will also be lit up in orange to observe the remarkable work they do.
Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Cllr Christina Leyshon, said, “Foster carers provide stable loving homes to hundreds of children and young people in Rhondda Cynon Taf who can’t live with their birth families”.
“Those homes provide safety, love, security and reassurance that children and young people in the care of Rhondda Cynon Taf so badly need, and our foster carers do an incredible job in helping children and young people thrive.”
Hundreds of new foster families are needed every year in Wales to care for children of all ages, and in particular for sibling groups, older children and young people, children with additional needs, and unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.
“There are lots of misconceptions around fostering.” added Cllr Leyshon.
“For example, some people think you have to own your own home or be in a relationship – and this is untrue.
“We welcome applications from people from any background, ethnicity, religion or sexuality. If you have a spare bedroom and the time and passion to dedicate to a child that needs it most then we want to hear from you. You could provide the home and be the difference that transforms a child’s life and helps them to fulfil their potential.”
“Many people in Rhondda Cynon Taf will have spare rooms that could become a sanctuary, transforming a child’s life and ensuring they thrive.”
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council will be sharing content across our social media channels throughout Foster Care Fortnight to help more people understand and value fostering and the positive difference it can make to young people’s lives. If you think you could make a difference by becoming a foster carer in RCT visit www.fostercwmtaf.co.uk
Posted on 18/05/2021