Since Barnardo’s first fostering campaign 10 years ago, the charity has found loving foster families to care for vulnerable children more than 8,200 times.

But during that decade, the number of children in care in Wales has risen by 38 per cent and, without more foster carers, Barnardo’s Cymru could struggle to find the right carers to look after children.

That is why we are appealing to people to find out how they can become foster carers and help change children’s lives.

Foster carers need to live in the right location, be available when a vulnerable child needs a loving family and have the right training and skills.

This could be particularly difficult for those children who are disabled, have siblings, are older, or are from a religious or minority ethnic background. It is important for their needs to be met and for any child to be given the opportunity to continue their religious or cultural beliefs with foster carers who are able to support them.

Every child deserves a safe and happy childhood and we urgently need more foster carers to ensure that children in care have just this.

We know that being a foster carer can be challenging, but we also know how incredibly rewarding it is and have seen first-hand the positive difference it can make to a child’s life.

Barnardo’s Cymru is with carers every step of the way providing training and support throughout the whole fostering journey, from the first enquiry, through the approval process, to when carers meet their first foster child and beyond.

To find out more click www.barnardos.org.uk/what-we-do/fostering-and-adoption">here or call 02920 493387.

Brenda Farrell (Head of Fostering and Adoption, Barnardo’s)