It’s a very rewarding thing to do

Caroline McCabe and husband John waited until the youngest of their three children was almost 16 before asking how they felt about sharing their home with other, less fortunate youngsters.

Caroline, of Halfway, had watched in admiration as kids under the foster care of her friend had gone from withdrawn, troubled souls into positive young people who embraced the opportunities presented by the stable way of life created for them.

She was delighted and relieved when Stacey, now 29, Paul, 26 and Adele, now 21, wholeheartedly backed her dream of becoming a foster carer.

Within days of registering their interest with the council, team leader Theresa Jones visited and explained what was involved.

“She didn’t paint a rosy picture,”said Caroline, 53, and now a gran of five. I didn’t know anything about fostering. She told it like it is.”

After many years managing a hair salon, Caroline handed in her notice to focus on her caring responsibilities.

Following the six-month application and vetting process, the McCabes welcomed a six-year-old boy into their Carron Court home.

“He was lovely, such a frightened wee boy with no confidence. If you gave him attention or praise, he’d say:‘Was I good, really?’”said Caroline.

“That wee boy left a year-and-a-half later to go to a long-term carer. By then, every mirror he passed, he’d comment on how handsome he was. He joined clubs and made friends.”

An eight-year-old boy, who had been raised by his father, moved in with the McCabes when his dad hit a turbulent period in his life.

During the three years he was with his foster family, his dad sought help, turned his life around, and was able to welcome his son back home.

The grateful dad keeps in touch and recently sent a picture of his boy in his school uniform at the start of term.

The couple are currently looking after two children – a 12-year-old boy who moved in when he as nine – and a baby girl who came to them 10 months ago.

Caroline said of the boy, who calls them Nana and Granda:“He was so quiet. He would come in and slump on the couch and refuse to sit up. Now, you’d not think it was the same child. His sense of humour is fantastic. He is a big part of the family and gets on great with the grandkids.

“We’ve taken him on holiday and his face at the airport is great to watch.”

Highway maintenance boss John also has lots of time for the youngster who he says“keeps the place alive”.

Caroline fully expects the baby in their care to be adopted by the turn of the year.

Although it will be a wrench, she takes comfort from the prospect of a happy, stable future for her and said:“I still struggle to comprehend why this happens. What these kids have seen, none of us will ever understand.

“Listening to a child telling you something horrific is heartbreaking,” explained Caroline, who says stories from the past spill out of the boy when he’s in the car and can share without making eye contact.

She added:“Fostering is rewarding. We are getting, as well as giving.”