At 79 years old, Sylvia Heaven shows no sign of slowing down as a dedicated foster carer in Newport, Wales. More than five decades after she first opened her home to a child in need, she is still doing what she has always done best: providing a safe, loving place for young children to grow, heal and thrive through foster care.
Sylvia began her fostering journey back in 1972 — a very different time. Don McLean’s American Pie was topping the charts, disco culture was just beginning to take hold, and the UK was in the midst of major social and political change.
What Sylvia couldn’t have known then was that 54 years later — after raising her own family and caring for more than 80 children — she would still be fostering, building an inspiring fostering success story.
A simple decision that changed lives
At the time, Sylvia was a young single mother to two small boys when she came across an advertisement in her local newspaper calling for foster carers.
“I thought, I could do that,” Sylvia recalls. “My children had a really good life, and I felt I could give another child that too.”
That simple decision sparked a lifetime of care, compassion, and commitment to local authority fostering.
Over the years, Sylvia has supported children at all stages of their journeys — from those preparing for adoption or returning to their birth families, to others who simply needed stability for a period of time within the foster care system in Newport.
Alongside fostering, she also worked as a childminder, determined to support her growing family independently. She later welcomed two daughters, including one who first came to her as a foster baby and was eventually adopted into the family at 18 months old.
Today, Sylvia’s family spans generations, with children aged between 23 and 57, as well as grandchildren — some even raising young children of their own.
“I bond with my granddaughter over feeding bottles,” Sylvia laughs, noting that her granddaughter’s child is close in age to the little one currently in her care.
“I always say this will be my last one…”
Despite the years — and the challenges — Sylvia continues to say “yes” when children need her, demonstrating the long-term commitment involved in becoming a foster carer.
“I always say the next one will be the last one,” she smiles. “But then I get asked again… and it’s all I know. I just can’t say no.”
Currently caring for a one-year-old, Sylvia firmly believes that staying active keeps her young. Even during nap times, she’s rarely still — often found outside tending to her garden.
Her motivation, however, goes far beyond staying busy.
Over the years, many of the children she has cared for have reconnected with her later in life — often with emotional words of gratitude, reflecting the power of foster care stories.
“One girl came to see me on Mother’s Day,” Sylvia remembers. “She said, ‘You gave me the best life. I wouldn’t be who I am today.’ I sat here and cried — I said, you’re not supposed to make me cry on Mother’s Day!”
Supporting children through trauma
Sylvia’s journey hasn’t been without its challenges. Many children entering foster care have experienced trauma, and that can show itself in different ways — anxiety, fear, emotional withdrawal, or difficulty trusting others.
“I’ve had children refuse breakfast because they’re scared they won’t get another meal,” Sylvia explains. “And I tell them — you’ll have breakfast, then dinner, then tea, and snacks in between. You’ll always have that here.”
Building trust takes patience, understanding, and consistency — key skills for foster carers supporting children with trauma.
“You don’t expect a child to come in and be perfect,” she says. “You work through things together.”
Sylvia focuses on helping each child feel safe from the moment they arrive — explaining things clearly, learning what they like, and reassuring them that they can talk or come for a cuddle whenever they need to.
“It’s lovely when they ask for a cuddle,” she adds. “That’s when you know you’re gaining their trust.”
With decades of experience behind her, Sylvia has developed a deep confidence in supporting children with different needs.
“Every child is different,” she says. “You just find a way to break down those barriers and make them feel safe and loved.”
A lifetime of impact
Sylvia’s story is one of extraordinary dedication — not just measured in years, but in the lasting impact she has had on the lives of children and families through fostering in Newport.
Her experience also highlights an important message: there is no “right” age to start fostering, and older foster carers bring invaluable life experience.
What matters most is the ability to offer stability, care, time, and compassion.
As Sylvia continues her journey into her 80s, her story stands as a powerful reminder of what fostering can achieve — not just for children, but for carers too.
Could you make a difference like Sylvia?
Sylvia hopes that by sharing her story, others might feel inspired to take that first step into fostering and explore how to become a foster carer in Wales.
Because sometimes, all it takes is one decision — like answering an advert in a local newspaper — to change lives forever.
If you live in Newport, Wales, send us a message, and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
If you live elsewhere in Wales, visit the Foster Wales website, where you can find all the necessary information about fostering and contact details for your local authority fostering service.
