Enquiries to Bridgend County Borough Council from prospective foster carers have rocketed by over 200 percent after the activity undertaken in support of Foster Care Fortnight. Activity included the launch of a new bus advertising campaign and information points at shopping centres, under the strapline 'Fostering: a career that changes lives'. With over a hundred children in foster care in the borough of Bridgend, there is always need for more carers to provide these children with safe and caring homes while they are unable to live with their own families. National Foster Care Fortnight aims to raise the profile of fostering and highlight the need for more carers, something Bridgend County Borough Council is undertaking on an ongoing basis. Councillor Alana Davies, cabinet member for children and young people, said: "“Becoming a foster carer is a big decision and people need to know what they can expect and what support is available to them." The Bridgend foster care team organises regular meet and greet sessions in the borough to allow people to drop in for a no-obligation chat with social workers and current foster carers. Cllr Davies continued: "Foster carers have a vital role to play in giving children in care the support they need to help them reach their full potential. Events like Foster Care Fortnight are a great way to raise awareness of the issue and the need for more carers to come forward." One couple already providing foster care are Anita and Spencer Bowring, of Sarn. They currently care for a fourteen-year old boy, and say that the most important qualities are patience, understanding and a sense of humour. Anita said: "Fostering can be hard work but it is incredibly rewarding. We thought long and hard about committing ourselves to becoming foster carers but, now that we have made that step, I consider it one of the best decisions I have ever made. "The fact that we can help to make a real, positive difference to a child's life is an incredible feeling and I would encourage anyone considering it to get in touch with the fostering team at Bridgend County Borough Council - if only to get a bit more information." There are 50,000 children in foster care in the UK and, currently a shortage of over 10,000 foster carers.