Man fostered as child calls for people to provide stability for young people
Wiltshire Council says it needs more people to become foster carers
A man who was fostered for 13 years as a child is urging others to open up their homes and provide stability for young people.
Jack McCauley was fostered between the age of two and 15 and tells is his experience was incredibly positive.
He's sharing his story to encourage others to offer children in need a space in their home, with Wiltshire Council on the lookout for more foster carers. The authority currently has 350, but says there is a growing demand that requires more.
"I learned valuable skills and I had a really good experience with my foster parents," he said.
Jack tells us he was "lucky" to have one long-term placement and that many who are fostered don't always get that opportunity.
During his time with his foster parents, he got the chance to visit places like Mexico, Türkiye and Egypt, saying he was treated "like one of their own".
"They always liked to follow my dreams, things I wanted to pursue, like swimming. They put interest in that, I did swimming clubs and I won a gala," he said.
While he no longer lives with them, Jack does stay in touch with his foster parents and says they're "doing well".
Jack insisted that stepping in as a guardian for a child can change their entire life prospects.
"I always say to people I work with that you can be that one person in that young person's life and change their entire life around.
And I will stick by that because it is very important and I've had people in my life do that to me," he said.
Wiltshire Council offers substantial support for fosters by ensuring they have all the training and help they need to make sure a child in their care is safe, as well as offering financial support too.
Anyone interested in becoming a foster carer can find out more here.