MONMOUTHSHIRE County Council has launched a new fostering campaign over what it called “growing demand” for homes for local children.

The local authority is one of 8 to co-launch the #20Reasons project in the new year.

The campaign uses real foster carers and their motives for fostering to inform and inspire more families to consider looking after a child or young person.

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The 20 reasons to foster include making a difference to a child’s life by giving them a sense of love, belonging and security; being part of building a positive future; and helping to keep a child in their local area so they can stay in school and near their friends.

Monmouthshire’s Foster Care Team said all types of foster carers were needed, but particularly those who would consider fostering teenagers, therapeutic carers, respite carers, emergency carers, sibling groups and children with additional needs.

Tammy is one of the foster carers supporting the campaign. She has been a foster carer for almost seven years.

After years of trying to start a family of their own, Tammy and her partner chose to take a different approach through fostering.

“I realised that there are so many children that need a loving home and that I had so much love that I wanted to give to a child so it just made sense that this is how we could build our family,” she said. “I have a really close bond with all of the children that I’ve fostered.

“One of our foster children is now 17 and doesn’t live with us anymore but still comes over for a Sunday dinner every week.

“Our current long-term foster children even call us mum and dad, and there’s no better feeling than that really.”

If you’ve been thinking about fostering or would like more information visit: www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/fostering