Four inspirational Moray foster parents honoured during Care Experienced Week
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THE extraordinary contributions of four Moray foster homes have been recognised this week, as part of celebrations for Scotland's Care Experienced Week.
There are currently 33 dedicated foster parents in Moray, who open their hearts and homes to children in need and four foster families received long service awards on Wednesday (October 25) to recognise their ongoing dedication to providing safe and nurturing homes for children in care.
Jackie and George Duncan from Grange, near Keith were recognised for 10 years of service.
Their inspiring journey into foster parenting began with a passion for making a difference in the lives of vulnerable children.
Jackie, who had dedicated most of her professional life to working with children, including her role at Keith's Sunshine Developmental Playgroup, always held a special place in her heart for fostering because a school friend who had been fostered.
Over the last decade, Jackie and George have fostered four children on a long-term basis and two of the three children currently in their care have been with the couple for nine of their 10 years of service.
The couple, who also have two grown up children, love that fostering allows them to continue to enjoy having children in the home.
Jackie said: "The three young people that we have with us now are all on a permanent placement and they will be with us as long as they want to.
"The good thing about long-term fostering is that we will see them through until they're 18 and beyond. It's great to see them grow up and change over the years. We hope to be with them for the rest of their lives, they come on holiday with us and are a part of our family."
Jackie's passion for fostering also led her to become a volunteer for FASD Hub Scotland, an organisation which helps families with children affected by Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), a lifelong condition resulting from prenatal exposure to alcohol.
Jackie works as a volunteer for the group raising awareness about FASD and providing training to social workers, schools, and various organisations on how to support children with the condition.
For families considering becoming foster carers, Jackie offered an encouraging message, adding: "Take that first step and don't be afraid to find out more and ask questions. It's an ongoing learning process, and even after 10 years, we continue to learn and grow.
"If you enjoy learning and being part of a community that supports each other, foster care can be incredibly rewarding, though it comes with its challenges. Being there to support one another is truly important."
Elgin residents Sandra and David Barclay were also honoured at the service. The couple have been fostering for 13 years, but missed their 10 year anniversary due to Covid.
Since 2009, Sandra and David have provided a loving home for 43 babies and children in Moray and have made a profound impact on the lives of many by contributing to countless successful adoptions and advocating for siblings to remain together.
The couple had always been keen to foster and when the eldest of their three children was preparing to leave home they felt a strong calling to become foster parents.
Sandra said: "We wouldn't have it any other way, we feel very privileged to be foster carers. We sometimes see babies all the way from birth until they are adopted.
"It can be challenging but it is extremely rewarding. Looking back, I wish I had done it sooner, I feel like this is what I was always meant to do."
The couple also run a business from home, but despite their busy lives, remain dedicated foster parents. They are always keen to make memory books for the babies they look after and even after children have left their care, they remain in contact with many of the families they have helped.
David added: "It's amazing, I'd encourage anyone interested to consider fostering. Foster parents can make such a difference and you get to see results sometimes instantly."
Foster parents Alison and Gordon George from Urquhart were also awarded for their 10 year anniversary. Over the past decade, the couple have opened their home to 18 children who have needed emergency, interim, or short-term care.
The couple, along with resident cat Jasper, were credited with providing a loving, active and creative space for the children in their care with Alison spending lots of time cooking or making blackberry jam with the children, while Gordon was noted for spending lots of time doing outdoor activities with the young people they support.
Moira Nicol from Forres was also recognised for an incredible 20 years as a foster parent, during which she has provided a loving and nurturing space for an astounding 77 children.
The team from Moray's foster service noted that Moira provides a very relaxed homely atmosphere for those who come to stay and that her remarkable commitment and dedication to the service, along with her exceptional organisational skills had made a real difference to countless care experienced children.
More information about fostering can be found on the Moray Council website, anyone aged over 21 who has a spare bedroom can apply to become a foster parent.
