Julianne and Gareth have recently celebrated their 15^th anniversary with TACT and to commemorate this they have shared their experience of fostering and the incredible impact it’s had on their lives.  

I grew up in a busy, loud household where the door was always open – and that shaped my belief that family is defined by support rather than biology. I was lucky enough to have had a stable loving safe home and just wanted to share what I experienced with other children. My husband Gareth’s own adoption taught him that family is built on consistency and trust. He felt that when he was in a place where he could pay that stability forward it was something he wanted to do so we have always known that at some point in our lives we would go down this path. 

We have only ever fostered with TACT so we can’t compare it to any other agencies – because TACT prioritises therapeutic care/sibling groups in a way that aligns with our views as carers. We believe that staying with TACT allows us to be the most effective advocates for the children because the foundation of trust is already built. TACT has proven itself during a crisis, supported us through a difficult placement, and have always been there for any questions or reassurance that we have needed. 

When we started with TACT, we were looking for support and training and they delivered. We have learnt invaluable skills including de-escalation and crisis management which have allowed us to feel confident and equipped when handling complex situations, especially in relation to trauma. 

When children realise that their ‘seat’ in my life is unmovable territory, I couldn’t be prouder as all I ever want to do is simply help them feel like a person again. Children may get moved on or grow up but the memories we make together can’t be moved. We often talk about all the days out and places we have been. We build a library of good times in their hearts and that is a territory that will remain unmovable forever. 

With one young person we created a routine where each night we would sit in the car with the music playing and go for a drive along the same route. For a child who felt like the world is chaotic it became the only unmovable territory. The space belongs entirely to them regardless of how much the rest of their world was shifting. 

Read more about fostering in Wales