Sophia shares foster family recipe in new celeb-backed cookbook.
14 May 2024
Recent research by Foster Wales - the national network of local authority fostering services - found people are often put off applying to become a carer because they don't believe they have the 'right' skills and experience.
A new cookbook, 'Bring something to the table' publishedthis week by Foster Wales highlights the simple things a carer can offer, like the security of a regular meal, family time around the table, and creating new food favourites.
Young care experienced people have been heavily involved in the development of the cookbook. Sophia Warner, an illustrator, campaigner, and care-experienced young person from Powys, illustrated and wrote the foreword for the cookbook:
"When I was younger, I vividly recall grilling my foster mum about the origins of the food she presented, insisting it hailed from Brecon, my beloved childhood stomping ground. I penned 'Brecon Bolognese' for the cookbook, based on my foster mum's recipe.
"This recipe holds a special place in my heart because it was the first meal I had when I moved into my foster home. I mentioned that my birth mum used to make it and my foster mum lovingly prepared it for me. As I sat around the table with my new foster family, I felt a sense of belonging and warmth, making me feel truly welcome."
More foster families are needed across Wales
In Wales, there are more than 7,000 children in care, but only 3,800 foster families. Foster Wales has set out with the bold aim of recruiting over 800 new foster families by 2026, to provide welcoming homes for local children and young people.
Powys County Council's Cabinet member for Future Generations, Cllr Sandra Davies says: "It's fantastic that Sophia, one of our care-experienced young people has been so involved with this new book full of recipes and life-changing fostering moments from carers and care experienced people.
"A big thank you to Sophia and also to our other young people who go on to share their stories and recognise the difference foster carers have made to them.
"Foster Care fortnight is a chance once again for us to thank our foster carers for the amazing work they do to support our young people in Powys, making them feel safe and welcome and cared for. The book shows it is often simple things that we offer children that can make a massive difference.
"We need a wide variety of people to become foster carers to enable our children to stay close to their communities here in Powys. There are many different ways you can support a young person and I'd encourage anyone who is thinking of fostering to get in touch with us for an informal chat."
Bring something to the table has over 20 recipes, including recipes from the foster care community, and celebrity chefs.
MasterChef Winner, Wynne Evans; Young MasterChef Judge, Poppy O'Toole; and cook/author Colleen Ramsey have contributed recipes. Also featured are Olympic athlete and foster care campaigner, Fatima Whitbread, who was herself in care.
Former Great British Bake-Off contestant Jon Jenkins and comedian Kiri Pritchard Mclean also added recipes - drawing on their personal experiences as foster carers.
The cookbook will be distributed to foster carers across Wales and a digital version can be downloaded from:fosterwales.gov.wales/bringsomethingtothetable
To find out more about becoming a foster carer visit www.powys.fosterwales.gov.wales or call 0800 223 0627