Stronger Together: Exploring Foster Carer Support Groups

The third Monday in January is known as Blue Monday and is said to be the most depressing day of the year ... but we don't do that kind of negativity!

Instead, we prefer Brew Monday, the opportunity to get together with friends pop the kettle on and have a good old chat. Being a foster carer brings different challenges and having a place to go and discuss these issues with other carers can provide support from others who are in the same boat. This is why all our foster carers are invited to regular support groups where they can speak to their supervising social workers and other carers about what is going on in their world.

How often are support groups held?

Every few months all Calon Cymru Foster carers are given the opportunity to meet with other foster carers in their local area to take part in one of many regionally held support groups.

Joint support groups are held twice a year bringing together the regional groups. One is held for the Cardiff region and one for West Wales.

What happens at a support group?

Although support groups will often have an agenda or a theme that will be covered, they offer a very informal environment, many carers have been attending these groups regularly for years and as a result, have built good relationships with the other carers who attend, making it a friendly environment to be in.

A supervising social worker will lead the group to keep it on track. This will often start with any updates from the agency.

Occasionally there will be a small training session or an introduction or reminder of certain processes. This ensures that everyone continues to understand the processes and work through them correctly.

Throughout the session, carers are given the opportunity to speak up and feedback their opinions and thoughts on topics that are covered in the group. Support groups are intended to be very collaborative meetings where all in attendance have the chance to be a part of the conversation.

Last but by no means least there is always time for a good old chat. Foster carers need to have a good support network around them and being a part of their local foster carer community contributes to this.

There is nothing like getting together with like-minded people, popping the kettle on and talking things through.