Scouting Magazine - The Scout Association

is a bit likevolunteering forScouting,’ says Ruth‘FosteringStainsbury, a BeaverScout Leader from Huddersfield.‘You have to really want to do it.There’s no point going in halfheartedly.But like Scouting, therewards are enormous.’In the UK there is currently ashortfall of 5,000 foster carers.Ruth and her husband David, anAssistant Scout Leader, have beenregistered as foster parents forthe last three years, and Ruth hasrecently given up her full-time jobto concentrate on caring full timefor young people – often fromtroubled backgrounds. They bothbelieve that Scouting is a fantasticway of helping these youngpeople integrate into their newsurroundings and discover theirhidden talents.A transforming effectLast year, David and Ruth lookedafter an 11-year-old whose lifewas turned around by Scouting.‘When he arrived with us, hewas very self-focused and unableto work as part of a team,’ saysDavid. ‘We encouraged him to getinvolved in a Scout chariot racingteam and the difference wasextraordinary. He helped theteam to its first-ever win afteryears of trying.’Since then, there’s been nostopping him. ‘He went on a Fireand Ice camp in February andcompleted an 80-mile bike ride inthe Lake District.’ Ruth was equallymore infoimpressed: ‘When he first joinedus, he would barely walk to theend of the street. Within sixmonths, he had taken part in amajor walking challenge, raisingmoney for charity.’For Ruth and David, Scoutingruns in the family. ‘We have threechildren of our own, all involvedin Scouting,’ Ruth explains, ‘andat one point had three fosterchildren also involved.’You would have thought thatScouting commitments would haveadded to the pressure, but in factthe opposite was true. It was thebreak that everyone was lookingfor. ‘With so many in the house,sometimes it’s good for the childrento go off and do well-organised,outdoor activities,’ says Ruth.Our leadership team also formedsomething of a support network.‘What we find is that we can accessthe skills and experience of theleaders – when it comes to caringfor children, there are very fewsituations and conditions theyhave not come across.’A positive influenceSome adults are understandablydaunted by the prospect offostering and may consider it aresponsibility too far. After all,in Scouting the children gohome at the end of the meetingor camp. However, Ruth is in nodoubt about the positive effectof fostering on both her familyand wider society.She is equally convinced aboutthe benefits Scouting brings toTo find out more about fostering, visit the websitewww.iwanttofoster.com or call the FCA freephone on0800 085 2225. Foster Care Associates welcomes applicationsfrom partnered, married or single people.families who foster. ‘Even thoughI have been in Scouting for manyyears, I am still impressed bythe impact it has on the youngpeople we foster. It has doneso much for their confidenceand self-esteem.’The couple recently fostereda 13-year-old girl with atroubled background. ‘Shereluctantly came along to aScout meeting and was amazedto find a martial arts display,’says Ruth. ‘She enjoyed therelaxed atmosphere and I thinkfor the first time witnessed thedetermination, understandingand commitment shown by thoseinvolved in Scouting. And in manyways, that’s what fostering isabout too.’total supportFoster Care Associates (FCA)is always looking to attractnew carers. Central to FosterCare Associates’ approach isthe welfare of the childrenand that of its foster carers.Each placement is fullysupported with a 24-hour‘wrap around’ servicewhich draws on the expertknowledge and guidanceof a team of professionalsincluding a dedicated socialworker, therapist, educationliaison officer and supportworker. In addition, FCAoffers its carers on-goingtraining, regular discussionforums and holds regularcarer group meetings.www.scouts.org.uk/magazine 29