Kinship carer shares her experiences with others

THE STORY of an Angus woman will be among those told at a kinship carer event today.

More than 300 carers will attend the Children 1st Big Day Out, at which a DVD will be launched featuring Jackie Lonie from Arbroath.

Support groups from across Tayside will attend the event at Hampden Park in Glasgow.

On the DVD Jackie talks about her experiences as a kinship carer and explains how the charity has supported her.

“I became a kinship carer in 2005,” Jackie said. “I began caring for my granddaughter when my daughter had a drug problem.

“Children 1st have been a fantastic help and they are there to help all kids, not just those who are being cared for.”

The charity runs Scotland’s National Kinship Care service for anyone looking after a child on behalf of a relative or friend.

Jackie added: “This DVD will be a one-stop shop for those who are just becoming kinship carers, and I would have found it absolutely invaluable to have had it in 2005.”

Children 1st assistant director Ronnie Hill said: “Kinship carers do a fantastic job in providing a loving and stable home for some of Scotland’s most vulnerable children. (This) event gives them the chance to meet other families, share experiences, try and learn new things and have some fun.”

Search Angus kinship carers on Facebook for more information.