A foster carer from Cumbernauld has said looking after kids for the last two decades has 'changed her perspective on life'.
Linda Dickie has been a foster carer with FCA Scotland for 19 years and in that time has helped raise dozens of children who now fondly refer to her as their auntie and granny.
Looking back on her experience, Linda recalls the devastation she felt when a girl she looked after from the age of 10 decided to leave after seven years with her family.
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She said: "After my first long-term child left, I decided my fostering days were over. It was too emotional. I spoke to the team at FCA Scotland and they advised me of another route I could take, which was to become a short-break provider. At the time, this was a relatively new initiative.
"It really appealed to me as it meant I could provide consistent care to children and young people, allowing their carers to recharge their batteries during that time. Nearly nine years on and I still love meeting all the different children who come to stay with me.
"Some of them have been coming to stay with me for more than seven years now! To hear them call me Cumbernauld auntie, posh granny or gangsta granny is an honour, I love it.
“I’ve seen them settle within families who love, support and guide them through their confusion, hurt, and grief. I see these children grow in confidence and succeed in relationships. They’re making plans for the future, be it college or a job and it’s all because of this attachment with their forever families.”
Linda, who has her own son, credits the kids with changing her life and inspiring her with their resilience. Following the recent John Lewis advert supporting Action for Children and raising awareness of foster care - Linda wants to keep the focus on the issue and is encouraging others to get involved.
She added: "These children change your life! I’ve learnt from them, through the trials and the challenges,” said Linda, and continued: “Their resilience is incredible and some of them have been through such a lot. It changes your whole perspective on life.
"At the beginning my son was 10-years-old and so I requested only children under 10 to be placed with me. My first two young people were 12-year-old girls! As the years have passed, I’m finding myself enjoying the company of teenagers, much to my surprise! It does show that when you first go into it, you’re not completely sure of the right fit for you but FCA will guide you through.”
To find out more about FCA, click here.
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