CARE FEATURE: Laura Patterson spent three years in children's homes when her mother died of cancer.

She says her experience was not a happy one and that she witnessed bullying and sexual abuse.

It was because of this that she became determined to give children in care a better chance.

Now a 35-year-old mother of two living in central Swindon, Laura Patterson has became a foster carer herself.

She said: "Me and my partner were both in care and fostering was something that we wanted to do.

"It's hard work and it is not easy, depending on the child. But it's also enjoyable and very worthwhile.

"I didn't have a very good time in care and neither did my brother.

"What I do is make sure that if children come to me they go away with some good experiences.

"In the children's home I was in there was a lot of sexual abuse from staff members. But it has improved a hell of a lot since 20 years ago.

"I think social services have improved a great deal over the years and they give foster carers a lot of support."