[/media-credit]Kilmarnock youth players attended the launch of the partnership in their new kits displaying the Barnardo’s logo.
The children’s charity is supporting the Scottish Women’s and girl’s game in a bid to raise awareness of fostering and to build stronger links in the local communities. They hope that the initiative will help raise awareness of the need for fostering and develop a network of carers across the country.
Speaking after the partnership was announced, Barnardo’s Scotland Assistant Director for Fostering and Adoption, Stephanie Stone said: “The majority of our foster carers have strong links with their local community and are the sort of people who regularly turn up to support their children at football every week. We want to spread the message about how fostering can change the lives of children and young people.”
Scottish Women’s Football Executive Administrator, Maureen McGonigle said: “We are very much looking forward to working in Partnership with Barnardo’s Scotland Fostering services. Football for girls and women is one of Scotland’s fastest growing sports and we feel the benefits gained from being part of our organisation will help young girls to become happy, healthy and confident adults. This is in line with the philosophy adopted by Barnardo’s when looking to place children and young people with Foster Carers.”
In November, Barnardo’s Scotland will also be part of the Scottish Women’s Football celebrated awards evening.
Barnardo’s Scotland and SWF will be working together to explore how fostered children, their foster carers and their birth children can experience both the girls and women’s game in Scotland as spectators or players. This will include match tickets, links to local clubs and publishing volunteering opportunities in both organisations.
Barnardo’s works with more than 10,000 children, young people and their families in over 98 specialised projects in communities across the UK, and has particular expertise in finding homes for children that are the hardest to place. Every year we help thousands of children turn their lives around. But we cannot do it without you.
Visit www.barnardos.org.uk to find out how you can get involved and show you believe in children.
Report by Scottish Women’s Football
