FOSTER carers in Barrow and Dalton have shared their experiences in a bid to urge others to step forward and help kids in need of a family.

As part of a foster carer recruitment campaign, Cumbria County Council is keen to highlight the different types of fostering.

Terri Forbes from Dalton has fostered for 20 years and specialises in ‘parent and child’ fostering - helping a parent to care for their child by passing on her own parenting skills and helping them to develop theirs.

She said: “I wanted to make a difference to children’s lives. I really enjoy it and I couldn’t imagine myself doing anything else.” She said she started foster caring as “it meant that I could work from home as I have three other children, and so I didn’t have to get time off work when it came to the school holidays.”

Helen Guibert is a short term foster carer, who looks after pre-school age children. Short term foster carers can have children placed with them for anything from a few weeks to two years. “It is a deeply rewarding job,” she said.

“To be able to offer children an actual childhood is amazing and I would say to everyone who is considering it to just go for it.”

Alex Finnie is a long term foster carer who has looked after 18-year old Liam since he was 10.

She said: “It is the best job in the world and I don’t know why more people don’t do it.

“It is such a rewarding job and if you have a spare room, you can do it.”

If you would like more information about fostering see cumbria.gov.uk/fostering or call 0303 333 1216.