STDAVID’S
LETTERFROM THECEO
Dear St David’s Family,
Welcome to this issue of our newsletter.
As we move into a brighter season, it’s a great time to reflect on the strength of our community and the simple things that support our wellbeing With longer days and warmer weather, there are more opportunities to connect, recharge, and spend meaningful time together.
I’m delighted to warmly welcome Kia, our new Children & Young People Support Worker. Kia brings a real passion for supporting young people and helping them feel heard and valued. We’re very pleased to have them on board be sure to read their Q&A in this issue to learn more. It was fantastic to see so many of you at our Easter family events, with nearly 100 attendees across the two days It was wonderful to come together, share positive experiences, and strengthen our sense of community
I would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who took part in the Newport 10K. Your efforts to raise awareness and funds for our work are truly appreciated, and your support makes a real difference.
In this issue, we’re focusing on getting outdoors and making the most of the nicer weather.
Spending time in nature and enjoying fresh air can have a positive impact on both physical and mental wellbeing for adults and children alike, helping to lift mood and bring families closer together
We’re also highlighting gardening as an easy and enjoyable activity, alongside launching our St David’s Sunflower Competition; a fun way for families to grow, share, and celebrate together.
Thank you for your continued support.
Warm regards Jason
BJASON BAKE
MEETTHETEAM: KIACHAMPKEN
Our new Children & Young People Support Worker
We’re delighted to introduce Kia, the latest member of the St David’s team, who joins us as a Children & Young People Support Worker Kia brings with her not only valuable professional experience, but also a deeply personal connection to the work we domaking her an incredibly meaningful addition to our organisation.
Kia has always been drawn to roles that make a difference in the lives of children and young people. Over the past three years, she has worked as a Teaching Assistant in SEN schools, where she developed a strong foundation in supporting individuals with a wide range of needs. During this time, her passion for helping young people grow in confidence and feel understood only deepened However, Kia felt ready to take the next step into a role where she could have a more direct and lasting impact and that’s what led her to St David’s
What makes Kia’s journey especially powerful is her personal link to the organisation. Having been adopted through St David’s herself, she understands first-hand some of the challenges and emotions that can come with fostering and adoption. This lived experience allows her to connect with children and families in an authentic and compassionate way, offering empathy that goes beyond professional training.
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FAMILYFUN DAYS
A huge thank you to the nearly 100 of you who joined us at our two St David’s family fun days over the Easter school holidays
It was wonderful to see so many families coming together, meeting each other, and enjoying time at two fantastic Cardiff events.
Our St Fagans Family Day at St Fagans National Museum of History offered a relaxed chance to explore Welsh history and enjoy time outdoors together, with plenty of space to chat, connect, and share food. It was lovely to see such a strong sense of community throughout the day.
Our Parc Play Takeover brought a completely different energy, with soft play, climbing, and face painting giving children a brilliant space to play while families connected and relaxed
All of our family days are made possible entirely through generous donations and fundraising events such as the Cardiff Half Marathon. With your support, we can continue to create these opportunities for families to come together and make lasting memories.
Thank you again to everyone who attended and helped make both days so special.
TRAINING REVIEWS
“GOOD SHARING OF EXPERIENCES, UTILISING ASSESSMENTS, GOOD ADVICE ON TIPS/STRATEGIES FOR CHILD”. www.afkacymru.org.uk
“GOT MORE INFORMATION FROM THIS COURSE THAN WE DID THROUGH OVER 6 YEARS OF FOSTERING ”
“EXCELLENT TRAINER WITH SOME REAL EXAMPLES OF HER PRACTICE. VERY RELATABLE, AND SHE WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT RELEVANT FOR PEOPLE ON ALL LEVELS AND IN DIFFERENT ROLES IN ATTENDANCE”
EASY,FRIENDLY WALKS
Wales is packed with beautiful scenery, and you don’t need hiking experience to enjoy it. There are plenty of easy, beginner; friendly walks across the country that offer great views, fresh air, and simple routes suitable for all ages.
In Cardiff, Bute Park is one of the best places for a relaxed stroll, with riverside paths and woodland right in the city centre Nearby, Roath Park offers a peaceful loop around a scenic lake with swans, gardens, and a Victorian lighthouse For coastal views, the Cardiff Bay Barrage provides a flat, wide walkway between Cardiff Bay and Penarth.
Just outside the city, Cosmeston Lakes Country Park is ideal for beginners, with easy gravel paths around lakes and lots of wildlife. In Mid Wales, the Elan Valley offers peaceful reservoir walks, many of which are flat and scenic. Nearby, Hafren Forest features gentle riverside trails and small waterfalls.
In North Wales, the promenade at Llandudno Promenade is a classic seaside walk with stunning views On Anglesey, Newborough Forest combines woodland paths with access to a wide sandy beach, while the area around Menai Bridge offers calm waterside strolls
Further west, Tenby provides short cliff and harbour walks with incredible sea views. Together, these locations show that Wales is full of easy walks perfect for beginners who want to explore without difficult climbs.
GETOUTDOORS &GROW TOGETHER
As the days grow longer and brighter across Wales, it’s a wonderful opportunity to step outside and enjoy the benefits of the natural world around us. For adopted children, foster children, and their families, spending time outdoors can be especially powerful, offering calm, connection, and a safe space to grow relationships and build shared memories
Time in nature is proven to support wellbeing in many ways Fresh air and natural light can help lift mood, reduce stress, and improve sleep. For children who may have experienced early adversity or change, outdoor spaces can feel less pressured than indoor environments, creating room to relax, explore, and feel more at ease. For carers and parents, it can provide a chance to slow down, reconnect, and enjoy meaningful time together away from daily routines and pressures.
Across Wales, we are fortunate to have access to beautiful parks, beaches, woodlands, and countryside walks; all of which offer free and accessible ways to get outside as a family Whether it’s a stroll along the coast, exploring a local nature reserve, or simply playing together in a nearby green space, these shared experiences can help strengthen bonds and build trust over time.
One of the simplest and most rewarding ways to extend this time outdoors is through gardening. It is an activity that can be adapted to any home, no matter the size of your space or level of experience. A few pots on a balcony, a small patch in the garden, or even a windowsill indoors can be enough to begin.
For adopted and foster children, gardening can offer a gentle and predictable routine, something that grows slowly and can be cared for over time This can help build patience, confidence, and a sense of responsibility Watching seeds transform into plants can also provide a powerful sense of achievement, especially when shared with a supportive adult.
For families, gardening creates natural opportunities for teamwork. Choosing seeds, planting together, watering, and watching progress can become shared rituals that encourage communication and togetherness. It’s not about perfection or expertise; it’s about enjoying the process and being present with one another.
Sunflowers, herbs, and easy-to-grow flowers are a great place to start. They are forgiving, fast-growing, and offer visible progress that children can feel proud of. Celebrating small milestones, like the first sprout or first bloom, can be just as meaningful as the final result.
At St David’s, we encourage families across Wales to embrace these simple outdoor moments. Whether it’s a walk in nature or growing something together at home, these experiences can help strengthen relationships, support emotional wellbeing, and create positive shared memories that last
OURFOSTER SERVICE
For children, not for profit
As we step into May, there’s a renewed sense of energy across St David’s Foster Care Service; and a growing opportunity for more people to be part of something life-changing
Every day, our foster carers provide safe, stable homes where children can begin to heal and thrive. Through trauma-informed care, they understand that behaviour is communication, responding with patience, consistency, and compassion. It’s often the small moments, offering reassurance, creating routines, simply being present, that make the biggest difference.
Right now, more carers are urgently needed, especially for young children and babies who deserve the chance to grow up in a nurturing family environment rather than residential care
Many of our carers first considered fostering after a simple conversation with someone they trusted If you’ve ever thought about making a difference, or know someone who could this could be the moment to take that first step.
You don’t need to have all the answers. With the right support, guidance, and training, you could become part of a community dedicated to changing lives.
Be part of the change.
Become a foster carer with St David’s HERE
STDAVID’S SUNFLOWER CLUB
We’re excited to launch the St David’s Sunflower Club, a fun and inclusive way for families to get involved, get outdoors, and enjoy something together this season.
Sunflowers are a brilliant way to bring a little sunshine into your home or garden, and growing them is simple, rewarding, and perfect for all ages. Whether you have a large garden or just a small space on a windowsill, everyone can take part.
Families can request their free St David’s sunflower seeds and growing instructions by emailing shaun.houcke@stdavidscs.org.
Once you’ve planted your seeds, you can watch them grow, take photos along the way, and share your progress with us
We’d love to see pictures of your efforts and, with your permission, share them on our social media to celebrate what you’ve grown. There might even be certificates for those who send in photos!
This is a great opportunity to spend time outdoors, build confidence, and feel a sense of achievement as you nurture something from seed to bloom. We can’t wait to see your sunflowers; get involved and start growing!
WANDERING
Curated by the St David’s Children Society team.
Check out our wandering playlist on Spotify; a curated collection of tracks that reflect the journeys, moments, and moods that shape our work and the communities we support.
It’s designed to be something you can dip in and out of, whether you’re looking for focus, reflection, or a bit of energy during the day The playlist brings together a mix of familiar favourites and newer discoveries, echoing the diversity and creativity at the heart of what we do.
We hope it offers something relatable for everyone, whether you’re listening while working, travelling, or simply taking a moment for yourself We’ll continue to add to it over time, so it grows and evolves with us. Have a listen, share it with others, and let us know what tracks you think should be included next.
Listen now: HERE
CONTACT
St David’s Adoption Service Lambourne House, Llanishen Business Park, Cardiff CF14 5GL
029 2066 7007 or info@stdavidscsorg
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DONATE
As a registered Charity you may like to consider supporting the work of St David’s. Your contribution will help ensure that every child with an adoption plan in Wales is placed with a loving family and supported to reach their full potential. HERE
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
© St David’s Children Society 2026
