Midlothian Council invites local people to be a foster hero during Foster Care Fortnight

Local foster carers Emma and David Murphy. Photograph: Mike Wilkinson…12/04/21.

The council has around 60 foster carers, some of whom will be taking part in special online Zoom events on: Wednesday, May 19: 2pm-3pm and 7pm-8pm and Thursday, May 20: 10am-11am and 7pm-8pm. If you would like to hear more about the joys, rewards and challenges of changing a child or young person’s life for the better from carers who do just that then get the Zoom link by emailing [email protected].

Chief officer of children’s services Joan Tranent said: “Our foster carers are our heroes. They are there, round the clock, nurturing and caring for children and young people who need stability and nurturing because their own families can’t look after them.

“We always need more foster carers so please, do something incredible, by considering fostering with us.”

Among the foster carers taking part in the online event are David and Emma Murphy.

David and Emma left behind the corporate world of “stress and targets”, as David puts it, to foster and run a childminding business.

They have seven children between them and they also foster a baby, who is thriving.

David said they don’t feel heroic: “We are just parents adding to our family on a temporary basis.”

Emma and David foster younger children from babies to three-year-olds although they have also looked after older children.

David says their aim is to give children in their care the best start in life by providing stability and care.

“Often the children’s lives have been chaotic,” he said.

“We want to give them the experience of our family life.”

Simple routines like family meals and set bed times along with days out in the family mini bus to explore woodlands soon make a difference. “The children thrive,” added David.

The couple’s children also get a new perspective on life.

“They are very proud to be part of our fostering family,” said David, who adds that if, like them, you love children, then he’d definitely recommend fostering.

Find out more about fostering at www.midlothian.gov.uk/fostering.