Barnardo’s Scotland fostering is calling for potential foster carers across Edinburgh to consider whether they can help create happy childhood memories for children in care.
Celebrities* from Scotland and across UK are backing the campaign called ‘Create my memories’, sharing their childhood photographs and happy memories in a bid to encourage more people to recruit more foster carers.
The need for more foster carers is critical. The Scottish Government is committed to increasing the numbers of children placed for adoption and aiding adopter recruitment. However, the majority of children are still in the care system and need foster families.
For most of us lucky enough to grow up in a happy, loving and secure home, it is very easy to recall our favourite childhood memory and become sentimental and nostalgic about trips to the seaside, magical Christmas mornings and special family times. These are the experiences we never forget that help shape our future and have a lasting effect on our adult lives.
Unfortunately, not every child will grow into an adult who looks back on a childhood as a time of fun, love and laughter. For many children in care across Scotland, the care and stability of a family home and a happy childhood is out of reach and their future could be just as uncertain.
Martin Crewe, Director of Barnardo’s Scotland and father of four said: “Happy memories last a lifetime. The aim of Barnardo’s Scotland fostering ‘Create my memories’ campaign is to encourage the public to reflect on their own childhood memories and ask if they could foster and help to create the childhood memories for those children in need of a foster home.
“There are simply not enough long-term foster carers coming forward who can provide good, stable homes. Barnardo’s Scotland believes that every child has the right to a stable home and a happy childhood. Current calculations estimate that 850 more families are needed in Scotland, around 9,000 across the UK.”
As a fostering agency Barnardo’s Scotland strives to recruit suitable carers to provide safe and reliable surroundings for the most disadvantaged children in our society.
The charity is appealing to those who want to help make sure childhood remains precious, whilst providing a purpose and income to those willing to open their home and heart to a child in need.
Being a foster carer is a life-giving profession and offers the opportunity to create strong and positive childhood memories for children who are currently living without hope of growing up in a warm family environment.
Barnardo’s Scotland is very keen to hear from anyone in Edinburgh who is interested in fostering and offering long-lasting memories to cherish, for a child in need of a loving home.
Ian Rankin, best-selling Scottish crime writer, said: “My favourite memories were at family weddings, especially the reception afterwards, with everyone ‘doing a turn’. I might sing ‘There’s A Hole In My Bucket’ with an auntie or my sister. Relations would have gathered from all over, cementing the sense of family.”
Carol Smillie, presenter, has a number of fond childhood memories she said: “Going on holiday to Newquay, with my Dad’s wooden surfboard on top of the car! My brother bringing home an abandoned puppy on Christmas Eve, and she lived with us for 15 years, and banana sandwiches at the seaside, on day trips with cousins.”
For more information call our Edinburgh office Tel: 0131 228 4121 or free phone 0800 0277 280, visit www.barnardos.org.uk/fostering.htm or search Barnardo’s fostering.
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
