FOSTER parents have been sharing their experiences to encourage more people from the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community to adopt children of their own in Gloucestershire.
The drive to get more people to sign up to the fostering programme marks the starts of LGBT Fostering and Adoption Week, that launched on Monday.
Leading foster care agency Core Assets has been working with existing carers to come forward and tell their stories of becoming adopters.
One such couple, Helen Baker, 44, and Sam Zala, 44, from Bream have looked after four children since joining Core Assets in 2009.
Former teaching assistant Sam was able to give a particular insight as she grew up in foster care and is still in touch with her adoptive parents.
"The most important part of of fostering is providing a loving, supportive and safe environment for young people to grow up in," she said.
"We have fostered children from age 10 to 17 and each experience has been different, but very rewarding.
"The support we have received from the Bream community has been amazing and having that help from everybody makes life easier for us.
"There is nothing to stop people from the LGBT community from becoming foster parents."
Core Assets Agency manager Johan Strydom is hoping the couple's positive story will encourage more people from the LGBT community to come forward.
"Just like children, every foster family is different," he said.
"At Core Assets Fostering we welcome foster carers from all walks of life, from various professional backgrounds and all sexual orientations.
"Fostering is a challenging career, but it is also hugely rewarding.
"With Core Assets, you're supported 24 hours a day.
"You are provided with on-going training, carer forums and support form a team of professionals including education officers, therapists and a dedicated social worker.
"We are passionate about supporting LGBT carers and foster children, so that they feel safe and respected within the organisation.
"Foster carers truly make a positive and lasting difference to children and young people in care and we are looking to raise the profile of this rewarding career to help alleviate the 9,000 foster carer shortfall across the UK."
LGBT Adoption and Fostering Week helps to meet the shortfall of adopters and foster carers in the UK, and raises awareness of LGBT families.
Those interested in finding out more about fostering should call Freephone 0800 023 4561 or visit www.iwanttofoster.com.
The drive to get more people to sign up to the fostering programme marks the starts of LGBT Fostering and Adoption Week, that launched on Monday.
Leading foster care agency Core Assets has been working with existing carers to come forward and tell their stories of becoming adopters.
One such couple, Helen Baker, 44, and Sam Zala, 44, from Bream have looked after four children since joining Core Assets in 2009.
Former teaching assistant Sam was able to give a particular insight as she grew up in foster care and is still in touch with her adoptive parents.
"The most important part of of fostering is providing a loving, supportive and safe environment for young people to grow up in," she said.
"We have fostered children from age 10 to 17 and each experience has been different, but very rewarding.
"The support we have received from the Bream community has been amazing and having that help from everybody makes life easier for us.
"There is nothing to stop people from the LGBT community from becoming foster parents."
Core Assets Agency manager Johan Strydom is hoping the couple's positive story will encourage more people from the LGBT community to come forward.
"Just like children, every foster family is different," he said.
"At Core Assets Fostering we welcome foster carers from all walks of life, from various professional backgrounds and all sexual orientations.
"Fostering is a challenging career, but it is also hugely rewarding.
"With Core Assets, you're supported 24 hours a day.
"You are provided with on-going training, carer forums and support form a team of professionals including education officers, therapists and a dedicated social worker.
"We are passionate about supporting LGBT carers and foster children, so that they feel safe and respected within the organisation.
"Foster carers truly make a positive and lasting difference to children and young people in care and we are looking to raise the profile of this rewarding career to help alleviate the 9,000 foster carer shortfall across the UK."
LGBT Adoption and Fostering Week helps to meet the shortfall of adopters and foster carers in the UK, and raises awareness of LGBT families.
Those interested in finding out more about fostering should call Freephone 0800 023 4561 or visit www.iwanttofoster.com.