Appeal goes out to potential foster carers

Monklands residents are being asked to consider becoming foster carers, as part of North Lanarkshire’s “everyday heroes wanted” campaign.

Officials from the local authority say: “Residents continue to respond to our requests for new carers to come forward, but we have to keep on asking because we will always need more.”

Information is available at northlanarkshire.gov. uk/fostering or by calling 0800 073 1566.

Airdrie couple Eamon and Emma have been fostering for 34 years, since their own children were at secondary school.

They said: “Fostering is your chance to give local kids who maybe haven’t had the easiest start in life some happy memories to store away – things you can’t place a value on.

“Council training is so thorough, and the support from other foster carers is great.

“You don’t need to be special – you need to be able to understand, have patience and, most of all, you need plenty of room in your heart.”

They added: “Approved carers are paid a fee and an allowance, but that’s not a reason for doing it – for us, it’s all about making those kids a part of your family, giving them the reassurance and stability they need to feel safe enough to trust again. It can be hard work but what keeps us going is the reward of seeing these kids moving on to their adoptive family or back to their birth parents feeling stable and happy.”