Louise Allen knows all too well what it's like to grow up in the care system
A foster carer from Chard says society fails to acknowledge the strengths of children in care.
There are more than 3000 looked after children across the West Country and councils are calling for more people to become foster carers.
Louise Allen grew up in the care system and is now an author and artist. She's written a series of books about her experiences, and says that we all need to look after one another.
Rachel lives in the Mendip area. She decided to become a foster carer despite being just 21, and began fostering at the start of the pandemic.
21 year old Rachel grew up around foster children and is now a foster carer herself
That energy is needed. Fostering can be tough and Rachel says there are many things to think about.
Councils across the country say they're facing a shortage of foster carers, and that without new starters like Rachel, many children will miss out on the life they deserve.
