Bruce Ramage

"After the initial induction training, I got a real insight into what fostering involves. Speaking to other foster carers gave us confidence and reassurance. My wife and I left that day feeling genuinely excited about the journey ahead. The process was long, but it allowed us to build friendships we still have today."

“The process started with a note of interest, followed by a home visit and the submission of an official application”.

From there, Bruce and his wife undertook 7 months of training before going to the fostering panel.

"The process was really thorough; they want to make sure you're the right fit. When we got to the panel, it felt heartwarming. They were genuinely interested in who we are and what we could offer, both as a couple and as a family. They even took the time to understand how fostering would impact our wider family circle."

Their first child who came to stay was a boy one weekend a month for a short break while still living in his family home.

"I’ve had a thousand rewarding moments since we started, but one of the most memorable was when we cared for 2 sisters, aged 5 and 3. They were only supposed to stay for 6 weeks but they ended up being with us for 6 years."

"The oldest was incredibly shy at first. In Primary 1, her school told us she wouldn’t cope in a mainstream class because of speech delays. We pushed for her to stay, and by the following March, she was one of the top 3 pupils in her year. Now she’s in Primary 6, in the top group for everything, and has even won school awards. A parent came up to us in the playground recently and said how much she had changed — it meant a lot."

Fostering hasn’t come without its challenges. Each new child brings a different routine, personality and set of experiences for us to adapt to.

"When a new child arrives, it can take months to find a routine that works. Some behaviour can be challenging, especially at first, but every child teaches you something new. There’s no one size fits all models. You have to adjust to their sleep patterns, emotional needs and routines."

Bruce has learned the importance of empathy and understanding behaviour.

"A lot of the time, their behaviour comes from what they’ve experienced. You’ve got to look for the ‘why’, then you can start to understand it and respond in the right way. You have to guide them, help them learn consequences and be their support system."

Fostering has also been a whole family commitment.

"Our son treats the foster kids like little sisters. He once told us that if anything ever happened to us, he’d always look after them. That’s when you know your whole family is truly part of this journey. It’s not just the carers, it’s everyone."

Bruce and his wife have reshaped many aspects of their lives to suit the needs of the children they care for.

"We don’t try to fit the child into our life — we fit into theirs. Right now, we’ve got a trampoline and a bouncy castle in the garden for the girls. Holidays have changed too. We used to go on city breaks or to resorts, but now we go places the kids will enjoy — like Centre Parcs during the Easter break. It’s not somewhere we’d go as a couple, but seeing the girls happy is what matters."

Consistency has become a key element of their care.

"We build trust by being reliable. Only my wife and I ever pick the kids up from school, so they know they’re safe. Every Friday is movie night. It might seem small, but it makes a big difference. Routine and familiarity mean everything."

He’s also learned how to support children emotionally, especially around triggers.

"You’ve got to understand their emotional trauma. A song in the car could remind them of something from their past. Taking the time to understand those triggers helps you help them feel safe."

"We have a great support system from local authorities to the girls school. My wife and I also meet with a foster care group once a month. There’s plenty of training and I know I can always pick up the phone if I need help."

For Bruce, fostering is more than a role — it’s a way to make a lasting impact.

"Fostering benefits the whole community. We’ve helped break cycles of negative behaviour and opened doors to new opportunities for the children. If someone asked me for advice, I’d say: love the child like they’re your own. Keep them safe. Try to see the world from their perspective."

"It takes someone who’s empathetic, patient and genuinely loving. If that’s you, then don’t hesitate. Get in touch and find out more. It could change your life and more importantly, it could change theirs."