Fostering is a very valuable way of looking after children who can't be with their own families. It has the potential to change lives and offer children and young people a positive view of the future

Peter Clarke, Children's Commissioner for Wales

The conference, which takes place on Saturday 9 June at the North Wales Conference Centre in the town, will bring together many people whose lives are touched by fostering.

They include children and young people who are in foster care or have recently left, sons and daughters of families who foster, and the foster carers themselves.

Organisers say the conference combines a wide range of opportunities for young people and foster families to talk about their wishes and hopes for the future of fostering.

A number of other events are taking place at the conference, which is being organised to coincide with Foster Care Fortnight 2001 , which runs until 17 June.

Commitment and courage

Theatre workshops are being held for children and young people to express their feelings about foster care.

There will also be an awards ceremony which gives children and foster carers to nominate those they feel deserve special mention for their commitment and courage.

Peter Clarke, Children's Commissioner for Wales has welcomed the event.

"Fostering is a very valuable way of looking after children who can't be with their own families," he said.

'Everyone's views'

"It has the potential to change lives and offer children and young people a positive view of the future," he added.

"We need to make sure that our fostering services in Wales continue to grow and develop by taking on board the views of everyone involved.

"I believe this conference will provide a very useful opportunity to listen to the wishes and hopes of children, young people and foster carers themselves."

Anne Collis, Project Worker, National Foster Care Association, said the conference was a way of acknowledging the potential of foster care.

"Carers can make a huge difference to the lives of children and young people," she explained.

"The young people themselves can make a big difference by telling us how we can continue to improve the services for other children who come into public care.

"My wish is that this conference helps us to give children in Wales what they truly deserve - the very best service possible."