Patricia's Story

Patricia Fox says the trauma in the lives of young people she sees makes her want to care for them even more.

She is so glad she overcame doubts about her age to make a go of foster caring.

"I thought I might be too old to be a foster carer.

"I was worried they might not want me, but they did - and I'm so glad, because it's been one of the best things I've ever done," says Patricia.

"I was 59 when I first got involved. I saw a poster in East Renfrewshire's Council headquarters and knew there and then it's what I wanted to do.

"By that point my five children were grown up and having kids of their own, so I had plenty of time on my hands and wanted to do something genuinely worthwhile.

"I've had four young people live with me over the past seven years, all of them teenagers.

"What I love most is being able to offer young people a stable and safe place to live.

"Many of those who need foster care have been through some sort of trauma in their lives.

"That often means their behaviour can be challenging but it just makes me want to help them even more, because you can see that they need you.

"I've got a great bond with the young people I've cared for. In fact one regularly tells me I 'saved her life.'

"There's no better feeling than that. My heart melts with some of the things they say to me.

"Hearing them helps me realise I've made a genuine difference to their lives."