Wall of smiles reminds us how good it is to be foster parents
Graeme and Shona encourage others to care
Potential foster carers are being called on to help Renfrewshire Council hit the magic number of 100 people in the rewarding role.
Foster carers are supporting a campaign to increase their number by almost a fifth – from 81 to 100.
Husband-and-wife team Graeme and Shona Small are backing the local authority’s bid to boost numbers.
Graeme explained: “I love it and it’s the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done.
“If you’re a foster carer you are doing it for the children to try and make a difference in their lives.
“We have a wall in our house with photos of all the children we’ve looked after and every one of them has a smile from ear to ear.”
Anyone aged 21 and over with a spare room and in good health can apply for the role.
Shona added: “I love kids and love thinking I’m playing a part in shaping the next generation.
“The children keep me young and focused and it’s nice to be able to offer nurture, care and security.
“It’s very much a give and take and the kids probably don’t realise they are giving quite as much as they do. “It’s the best thing I’ve ever done.” Foster carer Alice Preston, 65, says Express readers thinking about getting involved will get all the help they need.
“You get a lot of training and support and I would say to anyone considering it that it’s a fantastic thing to do – you will get a lot out of it.
“Be prepared and find out as much as you can.
“It’s a really challenging but rewarding thing to do and you can change a wee person’s life. “It’s the most worthwhile thing ever.” To mark Foster Care Fortnight, which runs from today until May 27, the council is hosting a series of informal events where potential foster carers can get more information from the local authority’s team of professionals and the chance to chat with people already in the role.
Councillor Jim Paterson, Education and Children’s Services convener, said: “We are committed to ensuring every child reaches their potential and, for some, this means joining a new family that provides them with the love and stability their birth families are unable to offer.
“If you think you could help to make a real difference to a young person’s life and offer them a brighter future, we would love to hear from you.
“As a foster carer, you can offer a child a stable home and also help keep them within their own community.
“Our family of foster carers come from all walks of life and this is a vital role.
“We will support you on every step of the journey.”
Information events will be held at Paisley’s Lagoon Leisure Centre tomorrow from 10am until noon and in Renfrew Health Centre on Wednesday at the same time.
The team will also be at Johnstone Town Hall on Thursday from 1.30pm until 3.30pm to give advice.
Foster carers can be in work or unemployed, be single, married, in a same sex or heterosexual relationship and can own or rent the property they live in.
As well as training and support, carers receive a generous allowance.
If you are interested in finding out more, call 0300 300 1199 or email at childrenandfamilies@renfrewshire. gov.uk
Starting in Wednesday’s Express, there will be articles featuring inspirational foster carers and members of the council’s support team.
We will also explain in more detail what is involved in fostering, the rewards it can bring and how you can get involved in changing a young person’s life.