OCTOBER 2025
FORCHILDREN,NOTFORPROFIT
We’re delighted to bring you this month’s edition of the St David’s Fostering Bulletin, a space dedicated to keeping you informed, inspired, and supported. As Summer seems well and truly behind us and we are all searching for the big coats, here you’ll find helpful reminders, upcoming training opportunities, key dates for your diary, and creative ideas for family activities to enjoy together.
We hope this newsletter offers something valuable for you. Thank you for all that you do, your commitment makes a world of difference.
NEWS AND UPDATES Foster Carer Bulletin
Here is a reminder of how to add photos for the child’s record. This and many other ‘How To’ guides can be found on the CHARMS WIKI.
Adding photos to the children’s record on CHARMS is a really important detail that shouldn’t be overlooked for the following reasons:
Sense of identity Photos help children build a stronger understanding of who they are, where they came from, and what their early life was like. Without them, big parts of their story can feel “missing”.
Life story work Social workers and carers often do “life story work” with children Photos are key tools for explaining their journey and helping them process their experiences.
Memories and continuity Many looked after children experience frequent moves between foster homes, residential care, or schools Pictures preserve memories that might otherwise be lost through those transitions
Attachment and belonging Looking at old photos can remind them that they were loved and cared for at different stages in their life, supporting emotional security and self-esteem.
Shared history Later in life, having childhood photos allows young people to connect with friends, partners, and even future children, by being able to share their past visually.
Healing and resilience Photos can be comforting reminders of happy times, even if their early experiences were mixed. They help create a fuller, more balanced picture of their life.
TELL A FRIEND
Do you have a friend that you think would make an excellent foster carer? From our years of experience working within adoption, we know that the biggest influence on many people putting themselves forward is often a friend with experience We know that there are so many children under 6 years old currently in residential homes and young babies that need a nurturing, loving and secure family experience. Below are the links to our Information Pack that you can give to your friends and family who might be considering fostering We are always happy to have those initial exploratory discussions without commitment.
Fostering Information Pack
TRAINING AND EVENTS
Caring for Babies Affected
by
Neonatal Abstinence
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26 November 10am-2pm on Zoom – click here for more details and how to book – this is free training! Don’t forget to mention that you are a St David’s carer whilst booking.
Building Support Networks for Foster Carers
4 December 10am-2pm – Zoom - click here for more details and how to book – this is free training! Don’t forget to mention that you are a St David’s carer whilst booking th
AFKA Cymru
Don’t forget to stay up to date with the latest training courses available from AFKA Cymru You’ll find the most recent training booklet linked here This is also a gentle reminder to prioritise the core modules, if you’re unsure what these are, please speak with your Supervising Social Worker for guidance. You can re-visit the training modules as many times as you like.
MEET UPS
North Wales Meet Up - Chirk
11 October 2025 - come and join us at our next regular get together. Our next event is in North Wales, visiting the historic Chirk Castle Get in touch if you haven’t had the information sent to you about the day th
Christmas Celebration
The festive season is just around the corner! Our annual celebration for fostering and adoption families will take place on 29th November at our usual venue. Invitations have been sent separately, but if you haven’t received yours, please let us know and we’ll be happy to resend it.
Cardiff Half Marathon
October 5 – 10am This October, 15 intrepid friends of St David’s will be taking on the iconic flat and fast half marathon all while raising vital funds for our work. We’d love for you to join us at our Cheer Station on Ninian Road (10-mile mark) to cheer them on and show your support! th
YOUR VOICE
Your voice matters You play a vital role in the lives of children and young people, and your insight, experience, and ideas help shape the way we provide support. By sharing your views, we can ensure that the bulletin reflects the issues that are most relevant to you, celebrates the successes within fostering, and highlights the areas where you feel more guidance or information is needed.
Just as importantly, we want this bulletin to reflect the voices of the children and young people in your care Listening to them, recognising their experiences, and amplifying their perspectives helps us all to create a fostering community where every child feels valued, understood, and supported.
FOSTER CARER BULLETIN
FAMILY CORNER
October is here, and with it comes crisp autumn days, falling leaves, and the excitement of Halloween just around the corner. It’s the perfect time to wrap up warm and enjoy some seasonal fun as a family. From pumpkin-picking in local patches to spooky trails, crafts, and child-friendly Halloween events, there are plenty of activities to make the most of the month together
Halloween Nights at St Fagans National Museum of History, Cardiff
29-31 October 2025, 5:30-9pm. Eerie Welsh legends, creepy crafts, glowing lanterns, a wicker man burning, disco, family-friendly frights. Suitable for children aged 5+ (younger if you decide). Tickets required.
Cardiff Halloween Festival, Cardiff Bay 25-31 October. Day & twilight sessions, magical/spooky fun, games, live entertainment. Every child takes home a pumpkin.
Fonmon Castle: Halloween Night Scare Trail, Vale of Glamorgan
18 October - 2 November 2025 Evening scare trail, haunted castle, story trails, meet-and-greet with Halloween characters. There are also daytime options for less scary fun.
Pumpkin Patch events in Monmouthshire Monmouthshire (Green 2 Earth, Maindiff Court Farm; Lower House Farm, Pick-your-own pumpkin weekends (10-16 Oct), photo opportunities and family friendly activities
CONTACT US
You will have the direct contact details for your Supervising Social Worker, but if they are unavailable or if you’d like to discuss something more general, please get in touch with the office on 02920 667 007 or email info@stdavidscs org A member of the team will respond to you as quickly as possible
Show your support by connecting with us on social media! Simply follow the links below and give us a like and follow to keep up to date with our latest news and events from across the St David’s Services.
Registered Office: Lambourne House, Llanishen Business Park, Cardiff CF14 5GL
St David’s Children Society is registered as a charity with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (Registration No: 509163) and a company limited by Guarantee (Registered Cardiff 1546688) St David’s Adoption Service is the brand name of the St David’s Children Society’s adoption service. Mae Cymdeithas Plant Dewi Sant wedi ei chofrestru fel elusen gyda Chomisiwn Elusennau Cymru a Lloegr (Rhif Cofrestru: 509163) a chwmni cyfyngedig drwy Warant (Cofrestredig Caerdydd 1546688) Gwasanaeth Mabwysiadu Dewi Sant yw enw brand gwasanaeth mabwysiadu Cymdeithas Plant Dewi Sant © St David’s Children Society 2025