A RETIRING foster family in Stirling is urging people to offer safe, nurturing homes to the area's children and young people.

Lynn Findlater and her husband Will, from Cornton, became foster parents in 1995 and have since helped more than 40 children and young people before their retirement last month.

They are encouraging people to consider becoming foster carers with a recruitment event to take place next week.

Lynn said: “One of the good things about fostering is it felt like we got the chance to make a change.

“Some of the young people who were most impacted by their earliest experiences at home are now very successful and running their own businesses.

“Being able to include them in our family and build up relationships worked well for us and the children.

“People usually say to me they couldn’t do it, that I must be an amazing person and have the patience of a saint.

“I am neither of those things, but I just really care about helping kids who have had to face some of the most difficult times in their short lives.

“Fostering is not the easiest thing I’ve ever done, but there is support and training available.

“If it’s right for you, you will enjoy it. Caring for the kids has been my life.”

Stirling Council provides training and professional development for all foster carers to help them carry out their fostering tasks.

Fostering is often a short-term arrangement lasting a few weeks, but can sometimes be in place for a longer term.

Foster carers receive a weekly payment to cover the cost of caring for a child.

Marie Valente, head of children and families, said: “Stirling foster carers are a most precious resource and we need more of them.

“We have a great track record of support to keep children in their communities to be loved with their families.

“But sometimes things get so desperate that children cannot stay with their own family. When that happens they have a right to live with another family and be given the nurture that we all so desperately need.

“Children tell us that they want to be safe and to know what is going to happen next. They want relationships that are real, loving and consistent.

“They want to stay with their brothers and sisters and continue relationships that are important to them.

“Foster carers can provide that safety, stability and nurture that children need to thrive.”

The recruitment event will take place at the Raploch Community Campus on Tuesday, March 28.

Those interested can drop-in between 5.15pm and 7.15pm.

Alternatively, call 01786 404040 or email adoption-fostering@stirling.gov.uk for more details.

Visit www.stirling.gov.uk/fostering for more information.