WITH Worcestershire County Council's annual campaign to find foster families well under way, Helen Clarke talks to two Redditch people whose lives have been changed by fostering.

FIFTEEN years ago, a Batchley woman made a decision to help youngsters which would change her life immeasurably.

Heather Griffin, 55, decided to open up her home to children who had to be taken away from their parents and families on a long or short-term basis and looked after until they were able to return home.

Heather received eight weeks of training and said: "These youngsters don't want to be treated like special cases, they want things to be normal for them. They want us to treat them normally and to have a routine.

"They want to know they have to get up, have breakfast and get ready for school and they love knowing there will be a hot meal for them when they get back.

"The most important thing a foster carer can do is to try to understand the needs of the specific child. Everyone is different and you have to be flexible and adapt to their needs."

Although Heather has had mostly wonderful times with children she has fostered, she admits there have been times when the experience has not been entirely positive.

"There are occasions when a child is placed with you and it just doesn't work out. It's nobody's fault but sometimes there is not a perfect match.

"Sometimes a child has to be moved to a different carer but if they benefit as a result, then everyone wins."

Heather has never regretted her decision to start fostering.

"When, years after you have fostered a child they return as a warm, loving, level-headed adult who is making the most out of life, you can't help but feel extremely proud."