The Return of the Decade Club with Daisy Doo*

The Return of the Decade Club with Daisy Doo*

Recently we saw the return of the Decade Club, a chance to celebrate all of our foster carers who have been giving their hearts and their homes to foster care for over 10 years. One of these very special people was foster carer Daisy Doo*.

When we asked her to give a foster carer’s view of the day, she snapped up the opportunity to write down her experience of the day and the impact that events like this have on the foster carers in our cohort. Read on to see what she had to say.

Hi all,

I just wanted to share my experience of a recent event held by Calon Cymru, the 2^nd annual Decade Club lunch. What a fantastic way to celebrate and show appreciation to the foster carers who have dedicated so much of their lives (and emotions) to supporting children and young people.

What can I say other than wow, to see a room filled with so many experienced foster carers, some of whom have been fostering for as many as 30 years, again wow.  The resilience in that room should be bottled and mass-produced for the general population.

Calon Cymru hosted the dinner at the Towers Hotel and Spa, Swansea, where everyone was treated to a delicious 3-course meal. The food was lovely and there was plenty of it... we had extra roasties, thanks to a certain person on our table! Good company, good food and lots of helpful and interesting conversations being had between friends, old and new. I was so full of food and heartwarming conversation... what’s not to enjoy?

As part of the celebration foster carers who have reached 10 years of service in the past year were presented with scrolls by Sharon Cavaliere to commemorate their achievement as well as those who were unable to attend and celebrate with us last year. This also provided a good photo opportunity. At each place setting there was a small bag with Calon Cymru themed (red and green) chocolate hearts and a Decade Club pin badge that many foster carers wore with pride throughout the meal. At the end, there was a delicious cake that had been very skilfully created in the shape of a number 10!

I am already looking forward to next year’s event, having the opportunity to welcome and celebrate new members and catching up with friends in the most convivial of atmospheres. 

Coming up... there are lots of networking meet ups planned, training with both in-house and external experts and before we know it there will be Christmas lunch with other carers from our region... lots happening and lots to look forward to.

Take care,

Daisy Doo and Julian too. Xx

*Name changed to protect the identity of the foster carer, children and young people in their care