I’m not your typical foster carer but I let young people see it’s good to be your own person
Kibble is mark i n g Foster Care Fortnight by highlighting the fantastic work done by its foster carers who look after young people.
The pandemic has increased the need for more foster carers with difficult home and work challenges meaning more young people need a safe and loving home with someone willing to give them a chance at life.
Kibble is keen to abolish the myth that carers are one type of person by highlighting Stewart
Brown’s story.
The 61-year-old Paisley dad-ofthree and grandad is covered in tattoos, lives alone, loves creating art and believes in practising mindfulness.
In short – he’s not a typical foster carer.
But he works as a short- term carer with Kibble’s Intensive Fostering Service, providing stays for young people, allowing them and their carers to enjoy a break.
Stewart said: “I’m not what people expect me to be. I like it that way.
“And I think that having a different life experience and a different set of circumstances from what people expect from a ‘typical’ foster carer is my biggest strength.
“I am exactly who I am, and I am not afraid of showing it, and that is a lesson in itself for the young people I care for at Kibble.
“I refuse to be defined or put in a box and so should they.
“Of course, many of the young people that come to stay with me have trouble and adversity in their background, but this is just one small part of them that with the right support and care, they can move past and focus on a brighter future for themselves.”
Stewart first got in contact with
Kibble three years ago when a colleague recommended fostering a young person given his caring nature, skills and experience in raising three children.
“I’ve worked in construction, was a factory worker for 21 years and now I am a short-term carer for young people in foster care,” he said.
“I won’t deny that it was daunting going back to scratch when I started my training with Kibble, but my passion for helping others is what drove me to choose the path I knew was right for me.
“Short-term carers are essential, even more so since the pandemic.
“Everyone needs a break once in a while.
“Kibble has created a family-feel to the IFS – young people know that when they fancy a night or two away, they can come to mine and we can have some fun, relax and just get some head space.
“Same goes for the carers. The level of support we all receive from each other and the management at Kibble is outstanding. We really are one big family.”
Foster Care Fortnight runs until May 24. For more information about Kibble’s Intensive Fostering Service, go to https://www.kibble. org/fostering/
I am exactly who I am, and that is a lesson for the young people I care for at Kibble