Charity appeals for new foster carers
A children’s charity is appealing for West Lothian people to become foster carers.
Barnardo’s Scotland foster carers look after children across the South East of Scotland giving them the best chance to have a happier and positive future.
But the charity is concerned that the pandemic could lead to a sharp increase in requests to the charity for foster care, and is asking for more potential carers in West Lothian to come forward.
Sue Brunton, assistant director for Barnardo’s Scotland Fostering said: “The pandemic and lockdowns have increased pressure on vulnerable families, with job losses, deepening poverty and worsening mental health which could all lead to family breakdown.”
The charity is concerned these pressures could impact more families as the pandemic continues. Sue continued: “We are looking for people who can do a lot of juggling between work, care and home schooling under lockdown. We need people who have a real understanding of the process of a child’s development, the impact of trauma in their lives, people with a sense of fun and those who really enjoy children’s company. They need to be able to make that commitment to helping a child settle for a set period of time. It’s more important than ever for people to consider becoming foster carers to ensure the right loving families are available in the right location when children need them. For anyone who is thinking about fostering, it is totally worth it. These children need you and if you have space to love, please consider it.”
Barnardo’s Scotland Fostering South East is asking people over 21, who have a spare room and the time and commitment to support a child, to get in touch and consider fostering. The charity offers comprehensive training and support to our foster carers, including extensive support throughout the application process, intensive induction and regular ongoing training and one to ones, as well as dedicated out-of-hours access to a social worker and a generous financial fee. For more details, call 0800 0277 280 or go to https://www.barnardos.org.uk/ foster/edinburgh
A number of heritage buildings in Bathgate town centre are to be marked by plaques to provide locals and visitors with a glimpse into the town’s history.
The project is led by Enterprising Bathgate, the management company for the Bathgate Business Improvement District (BID), and is part of their wider vision to reinforce town’s ‘sense of place’.
The addition of a number of historical plaques has been made possible by a small grant awarded through government funding for town centre capital projects.
The plaques will complement the recent addition of new street name signs, as well as the Welcome to Bathgate signs on the main routes into the town.
The plaques will also complement the recentlypublished guide to heritage walks in Bathgate town centre, compiled by the Bathgate History Group with Bathgate Community Council.
Work is underway to identify the best locations for the plaques. Enterprising Bathgate is keen to hear from local people and will take on board suggestions before making a final decision on plaque locations.
Early feedback has brought to the fore buildings such as the Regal Theatre, the Pavilion, the building that is now home to café bar 1912, the Bennie Museum, St David’s Church, St Mary’s Church, the Emporium Building, the Working Men’s Institute, the former Royal Hotel and the former post office and bank which is now the Costa, both at the Steelyard, and the Air Raid Shelters on King Street.
Enterprising Bathgate board member, Sue Bedford-Visser, said: “These are some of the buildings we are considering but at this stage we are open to input from members of the local community for other specific ideas which will help tell the history of the town and how it grew and prospered. Due to the remit of the BID and the nature of the funding, all plaques will need to be sited in streets which are within the area defined as the Business Improvement District in the heart of the town.”
Contact Enterprising Bathgate by email at info@bathgatebid.net or send a message through their Facebook page.