Neil Davies shares updates, encouragement and prayer points related to Home for Good’s work across Wales.

Recent outs and abouts

One of the things that I most love about my job is the opportunity to share in churches about Home for Good’s work and about God’s desire for His people to welcome children and young people. In recent months, I’ve had the privilege of speaking at Monmouth Baptist Church, at Ebenezer in Cwmbran and at two churches in Ystrad Mynach - Moriah Christian Fellowship and The English Mission. Around 120 people in all were able to hear and connect with the message of Home for Good and some great conversations followed in each meeting. Please pray that God would nurture the seeds that were planted.

It’s been great to meet with more church leaders recently from Caerphilly Borough, Newport, RCT, Blaenau Gwent, Cardiff, Swansea and Monmouthshire - all of whom are very keen to develop a relationship with Home for Good. If you’re a church leader and would like to talk please get in touch, as I’d love to connect. Likewise, if you’re in a church and feel connecting me with your leader would be of benefit please link us up!

Vision Event series – Home for Good near you

In January, we held the first in a series of Vision Events that are planned for 2024. These events provide an opportunity to learn about the work of Home for Good, hear inspiring stories of hope and explore how you and your church can play your parts. The January event took place in Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, Maesycwmmer. In addition to the programme of sharing and stories, there was a wonderful time of questions and answers, along with great pastries, tea, coffee and conversation. We even found some new volunteers to join our growing team.

We’ll be holding these events every month until the summer. Do please join us and invite others along with you. Our next event is in Newport next Wednesday, 28 February. Further details can be found here: Newport Vision Event – 28 Feb.

Details of the other events in the series will appear on the Home for Good events page: March - RCT; April - Cardiff; May - Swansea; June - Pembrokeshire

Online opportunities

I’ve recently had the exciting opportunity to take part in Home for Good’s online Information Events. These 75-minute Zoom calls take place twice each month and provide a simple introduction to fostering, adoption and supported lodgings. I would highly recommend these for anyone wanting to learn a bit more. We also regularly run our six-week, online Foundations course for those who want to explore a bit more deeply. A new course has just begun – meeting on Tuesday evenings – and you can still join that course by signing-up online. The next Foundations course begins on Tuesday 16 April. Visit the Events page on the Home for Good website for further information on our Information Sessions and Foundations courses – and to book your place.

Resources and inspiration

It was great to see a number of churches and individuals in Wales signing up for our 2023 Christmas Resource – A Promise Of Hope. For the first time, the materials were produced in both Welsh and English. This has been hugely significant in not only catering for people whose first language and common tongue is Welsh but also establishing a very real Welsh identity within Home for Good. Plans are in place to develop further Welsh language resources over the coming year.

In November, we published the incredibly inspirational Catherine’s Story on the Home for Good website. I’d thoroughly recommend that you read this powerful story from Wales – and that you have a look at the other stories and blogs on the website.

Wales Advisory Group

December saw the first meeting of our new Home for Good Wales Advisory Group. The purpose of the group is to assist me in shaping the work of Home for Good in Wales. We’ve had similar groups operating in Scotland and Northern Ireland for a number of years and they’ve been instrumental in the growth of Home for Good’s work in those nations. The group will meet about four times each year.

Partnering to find home

Home for Good has the privilege of working with a number of fostering and adoption partners in Wales as we seek to find homes for children and young people. We’ve had some positive enquiries from individuals and couples in these areas and have recently made referrals for those ready to start the application process. I’d love to connect with you if you live in any of the areas covered by our agreements, so we can explore together how we might increase our impact. The agreements are with:

• Swansea & Neath Port Talbot Fostering
• Western Bay Adoption Service (Bridgend area)
• St David’s Adoption Services, with whom we are focusing on nine Local Authorities in the South West and South East. In the South West - Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Powys. In the South East - Newport, Monmouthshire, Blaenau Gwent, Torfaen & Caerphilly County.

“Ann, a member of our church, who recently passed away was a foster carer for many years. She would often pray for children in the care system and that we might meet their needs. I think that Home for Good is an answer to Ann’s prayer here in Maesycwmmer.”

What can I be praying for?

We would love you to stand with us in prayer as we continue to work to find a home for every child who needs one in Wales.

• Pray for good fruit to come from the church speaking engagements and that more requests for speaking engagements would come.
• Pray for the vision event series – that lots of people would come along and that God would inspire and encourage all who attend.
• Pray that individuals, couples across Wales would be inspired to play their part in finding and sustaining homes for children who need them. Pray particularly for people to engage with Home for Good’s resources and online courses.
• Pray for the Wales Advisory Group as they begin their new rhythm of meetings together and work to shape Home for Good’s work in Wales.
• Pray for Neil as he leads the work of Home for Good in Wales. Ask God to guide, bless and encourage Neil in this work.

Check out our prayer resource, Let’s pray, for additional thoughts, inspiration and points to guide your prayers.

Are there any events happening soon that I can attend?

Head over to our Wales page to find out what is happening in the area and find all the local support groups.

Take me there

How do I get in touch with a member of the Home for Good team in Wales?

Neil Davies heads up Home for Good's work in Wales and he would love to hear from you! You can contact him through the button below.

Email Neil