The Cardiff branch of John Lewis made a charity donation to TACT Fostering Cymru, to provide wellbeing activities and an ‘awards ceremony’ for our young people.

TACT were awarded the donation via the John Lewis Community Matters Scheme, an initiative established to help local community groups and charities. Three organisations are selected every three months, and then customers decide how much each organisation receives by using tokens to vote.

TACT Fostering Cymru received a generous £2000 via the scheme, so the team decided to treat our young people to a day out in Llangrannog where they could take part in activities such as karting, archery, high ropes, tobogganing and bushcraft. The activities were followed by an awards ceremony, where each and every young person received an award in celebration of their achievements.

The awards ceremony was a highlight for all. Chloe Meades, TACT Fostering Recruitment Manager for Wales and the South West, said: “Seeing all of our children and young people receiving an award for their individual achievements was a highlight for all involved.

“Also, watching the young people make connections with each other and swap phone numbers to keep in touch was really special.”

Wellbeing and activity days have the power to making a lasting positive impression on young people. A TACT foster carer said: “The days out really help all children, and I feel something other people think of as ‘just a day out’ makes so much difference in so many children’s lives.

“We have seen it first hand and cannot thank you all enough for everything you have provided and done for all our children. Even down to the awards and making each child feel special for their achievements is such a personal and lovely thing.”

One particular young person ‘found her feet’ on the trip. Her foster carer said: “Our young person hasn’t ever been confident and doesn’t believe in herself at all. But on your planned days out we see a different side to her.

“She pushes herself and really puts herself out there. She’s tried new things and we’ve seen this wave of confidence come over her. It’s beautiful to see and it makes us feel so proud that she can try new things and be the person we know she is.”

Other feedback from our foster carers:

“We loved the day out and the kids really enjoyed themselves too. The day helps the kids more than anyone would think and not just the foster children but my own children too. Our oldest young person has come out of her shell loads recently and she loves going on your day trips and your weekend trips you have planned. She has made friends with other foster children who can relate to her and her experiences. It’s been lovely to see her bump into children she has met before. It’s lovely to see her so happy and comfortable around people she hasn’t long ago met.”

“Thank you so much, he hasn’t stopped talking all the way home…he had a wonderful time.”

“What a fantastic success the awards day was. Thank you TACT for a brilliant day out – we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.”

“The whole day was fabulous from start to finish. We all had a lovely day and enjoyed all the activities equally. It was so nice seeing everyone having fun. Also the awards was lovely. Even the food was lovely. Thankyou to TACT for arranging this!”

A big ‘thank you’ to the whole of the TACT Fostering Cymru team for organising such a special and memorable day for our young people and foster carers!

Read more about Fostering in Wales.