Loving HOMES FOR CHILDREN
AS ONE OF THE OLDEST CHILDREN’S CHARITIES IN THE UK, ACTION FOR CHILDREN HAS SUPPORTED THE COUNTRY’S MOST VULNERABLE CHILDREN FOR 145 YEARS, HELPING THEM TO HAVE THE CHILDHOOD THEY DESERVE
carers and 5,000 adoptive parents this year.
These children have gone through things no child should ever have to experience and they are all waiting for mummies and daddies to feel safe and loved and to belong to a real family.
TRACY AND JENNY
Tracy Davison and Jenny Godbold were one of the first same-sex couples in Scotland to become foster carers in 2009 and they are urging people to take action, as thousands of children and young people desperately need homes.
Tracy and Jenny, together since 1997, moved to the remote Isle of Skye in 2000. Moving there, the island was their dream and they hoped to open a small unit to work with families to help support them. But the recession hit and this part of their dream wasn’t able to become a reality.
Still desperate to help families and young people, Tracy and Jenny thought about fostering. When the Scottish government legalised samesex adoption and fostering they immediately got in touch with Action for Children.
Tracy, who has taken the role of primary carer, says: “When we were applying to become carers, even though it had just become legal, we were a little apprehensive, especially as there was no one else in the same situation as us. But we thought if we never try we will never know so we decided to take this journey on together.”Jenny says: “We have been fostering for four years and seeing the transformation in the children is remarkable. We have been able to ensure the children take on their own responsibility and build up trust between us. Getting the stability, love and support is essential in foster care.”
“It’s been a learning curve for us all as it’s quite demanding and has taken time. We did doubt ourselves and wondered if we could do this, but after 12 months of assessments, which are so important, the family we have now made it all worth it” Jenny adds.
Tracy said: “For anyone who is having doubts of being a foster carer, we would recommend you to speak with Action for Children and you will find that all of your doubts will be answered. Anyone can do it and I would say that it has been the best job I have ever done. Nobody should be afraid, as long as you can provide a safe, secure and loving environment it really is worth it.”