Well-Being, Wagging Tails & Welsh Sunshine: A Calon Cymru Dog Walk at Dinefwr Park

Well-Being, Wagging Tails & Welsh Sunshine: A Calon Cymru Dog Walk at Dinefwr Park

We love seeing our foster carers getting together and creating a supportive community for them and others at Calon Cymru Fostering. We also love dogs (who doesn’t), so what better way to really make the most of a get together than to have it be one including our gorgeous furry friends. So that’s exactly what we did during our latest Carer Connect well-being outing, a dog walk at the beautiful Dinefwr Park in Carmarthenshire.

It turned out to be a dry Sunday morning (yes, you read that right, dry weather in Wales!), and the sunshine brought with it a real sense of calm and warmth to the gathering. Although Carer Connect is usually run by foster carers for foster carers, some of our lovely staff couldn’t resist the opportunity to get out and about in the fresh air and take in the beautiful views in a more relaxed space with our foster carers.

What is Carer Connect?

Carer Connect is a peer-led support scheme run by Calon Cymru foster carers, for foster carers. It’s all about bringing carers together in relaxed, informal settings to chat, unwind, and build genuine, supportive relationships.

Whether it’s a coffee catch-up or a day out, Carer Connect is your space to connect with others who just get it.

Want to host a get-together? Speak to your Supervising Social Worker for support. The idea is simple, you shape it, we support it. We can’t wait to see what you plan next!

Who Let the Dogs Out? We Did!

We were joined by six lovely dogs, all of whom behaved beautifully and got on with one another as though they'd been walking together for years. It was clear the dogs were having just as much fun as the humans.

“We took a gentle walk around part of the estate, a peaceful stroll that gave us time to catch up, chat, and take in the natural beauty of the park. One of the unexpected highlights was spotting the iconic white horned cattle all gathered around the cattle shed. They were making quite the noise, reminding us that we were very much in the heart of rural Wales!”
Marianne G – Foster Carer

Tea, Cake & Connection

After the walk, everyone gathered for some much-deserved tea, coffee and cake, and spent time simply being together. No agendas, no meetings, just relaxed conversation and shared laughter. It’s moments like these that remind us how important community is, and how vital it is to create space for carers and staff to recharge and reconnect.

A sit down with a cuppa and a slice of cake provided the perfect opportunity to talk about life, fostering, dogs, and everything in between. A perfect reminder that sometimes it’s the little things that lift us the most.

Looking Ahead: Monthly Well-Being Walks

Following this successful first dog walk, the group decided that this type of event would make for a fantastic regular event.

The idea is to host monthly meetups just like this one. Open to staff, foster carers, their families, children, young people, and of course, their dogs. These relaxed, outdoor gatherings offer a chance for everyone in the Calon Cymru family to connect in a fun and informal setting. Whether you’re a long-time carer or new to the fostering journey, whether you’re bringing a dog or just yourself, everyone is welcome.

So, watch this space, we’ll be sharing details of the next well-being outing soon, and we’d love to see even more of you there!