QUEST Autumn 2026
“It was like, ‘bang’ - and life changed forever.” Adjusting to life after brain injury Page 10
Inside Children’s Appeal update Page 4 Focus on fostering Page 6 Fundraising for fun Page 14
quarriers.org.uk Quest Autumn 2026 • Page 1
Hello and welcome from Louise Robertson, Associate Director of Funding and Marketing
I’m delighted to introduce your Autumn issue of QUest. First and foremost, thank you for being such an important part of the Quarriers community. In this edition of Quest, you’ll find
updates from across Quarriers’ services and examples of the impact your generosity makes possible every day.
Every kindness matters Whether your support comes through a donation to an appeal, a regular monthly gift, taking part in an event, sponsoring someone, giving your time as a volunteer, doing your own fundraising, or dropping a few coins into a collection bucket, every contribution makes a difference.
Tracy collects donations during a sponsored walk in Largs, see page 14
A special thank you In this issue I would like to extend a special thank you to the people who so generously share their personal experiences to support Quarriers fundraising efforts. Speaking openly about some of life’s most personal and difficult moments takes courage and is deeply appreciated.
We hope these stories not only improve understanding of the issues but also highlight the need for the timely support that Quarriers can provide - often when it feels like no other support is available. We can’t do it without you. With gratitude.
Louise
Update:
Congratulations, Alix! Well done to Alix, who recently graduated in Early Learning and Development, Level Four and Five. When our Children’s Appeal went out in May, Alix spoke very eloquently about the impact that Quarriers summer activities had on their childhood. We think Alix is an inspirational young person, not only speaking so honestly about their experiences, but continuing to champion the voices of care-experienced young people. Their next plans? “I’m going to take a gap year while continuing to volunteer as a Peer Mentor for Quarriers Families Matter kinship service, and then I will either do an HNC, or an apprenticeship.” We wish Alix all the very best of luck!
“Care experienced young people graduate too!”
“I chose to go to the S cience Centre. Is the illus aw all ions.”
Stories worth telling A huge thank you to donors who supported our annual Children’s Appeal. We’re delighted to report that children and young people had summer adventure, laughter, friendship and memories they couldn’t wait to share. All adventures are chosen by the young people!
“I loved walking on the pitch. Thank-you.”
Feeling included
Page 4 • Quest Autumn 2026
Learning
“Amy is my friend. We walk ed through the park .”
Building friendships
“I love it!”
“I did it!”
Overcoming big nerves
“It was b
anging!”
Teenagers need a break too
First time experiences
“I won a p r on my fir ize st ever try.”
Small achievements
Quest Autumn 2026 • Page 5
Turn your care into a career Foster carers and Shared Lives carers provide professional, paid care and support in their own homes and change lives. Being a foster carer or Shared Lives carer offers flexible opportunities to give full-time care and support or offer weekend breaks and short breaks care.
Why choose fostering?
If your time is limited you can become a carer even for one night or weekend a month which can make a real difference.
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Competitive income and allowances
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Flexible work from home
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Full training provided
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24/7 expert support
You could be exactly who we are looking for: Spare bedroom
Page 6 • Quest Autumn 2026
Caring, patient and reliable
Looking for meaningful, flexible work
Quarriers is looking for people across Scotland to support children, young people and adults with additional support needs who need a safe and supportive home. We’ll support you every step of the way! •
Full training before you start
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Dedicated social worker
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Ongoing development
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24/7 support whenever you need it
Fostering fits around your life...
Interested?
If you are not ready for a fulltime commitment, you can still help by offering:
The first step is to contact us for an informal chat.
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Weekend care
fostering@quarriers.org.uk
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Short sreaks
Fostering children under 16-years-old
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Occasional overnight stays
Shared Lives: sharedlives@quarriers.org.uk
Fostering:
Shared Lives support for people aged 16 or over.
Quest Autumn 2026 • Page 7
Fostering and Shared Lives
“He’s simply our son” Carole and David have been fostering Shawn since he was five. Now 22, he is profoundly deaf, autistic, and needs one-to-one supervision. But to them, he is simply their son. Carole explains why fostering has been a journey like no other. Carole and David had always thought about becoming foster carers, but it was a difficult time in their family’s life that finally pushed them to act. When their young daughter recovered from cancer, it gave them a new perspective. Although they hadn’t initially planned for it, Carole felt compelled to help vulnerable children facing adversity.
We realised life is too short. If there is something you want to do, you have to get on with it.”
part of the deaf community.
He was a wee boy who had complex needs and no way to communicate.
Support, says Carole, has been essential. From the initial assessment process through to ongoing training, she has found reassurance in knowing she wasn’t alone.
What followed was a journey that required commitment, patience and resilience.
“It gave me faith in the system. It’s a big responsibility, and the process reflects that.”
“I was told that Shawn would never sign, but I was determined. We all were,” says Carole. “The whole family learned sign language and slowly, Shawn began to communicate and build trust.
One of the biggest hurdles came when Shawn turned 18, with little guidance on moving from children’s to adult foster services. Bridging support was put in place until Shawn turned 21, when adult services would be required.
Today, while not fluent, he confidently expresses himself and identifies as
“All I knew for sure was he wasn’t leaving us.”
Soon after, they welcomed five-yearold Shawn into their home.
Page 8 • Quest Autumn 2026
“Quarriers had the training and support we needed, and we could put down roots.” Thankfully, Carole knew about Quarriers, and Shawn had used Quarriers’ Mavisbank Respite Service. Contacting Quarriers made sense. Quarriers helps young people stay with the carers who know them best. Our seamless service supports foster carers to re-register as adult placement carers, allowing those relationships to continue into adulthood. For families who have fostered children and young people through another agency, we provide specialist support to make the move into adult services easier. “Once we spoke to Quarriers, I knew
we’d found the right people,” says Carole. Today, Shawn is thriving. He swims, horse-rides, and plays cricket. “When he first came to us, he was so frustrated”, says Carole. “Now he’s cheerful, helpful, just lovely.” For anyone considering fostering, Carole has this advice: “It’s like a rollercoaster. This isn’t something you just dip your toe into. “You have to immerse yourself. And I always stress that you must ask for help when you need it. You’ll need support, but it’s so worth it.” Quest Autumn 2026 • Page 9
“The team at Quarriers BICS have been my saviours.” Caroline
NAVIGATING A NEW NORMAL
Life after brain injury When Caroline McKechnie’s husband Brian sustained a brain injury, their lives changed overnight. One year on, Caroline shares how Quarriers Brain Injury Community Support service (BICS) in Renfrewshire has helped them adjust. “I came home early from work one day,” says Caroline. “Brian said he had a crick in his neck, which quickly became an intense headache. “His ears were ringing and he was screaming in agony. “Brian was a charge nurse in A&E for years, so he knew his symptoms.” Page 10 • Quest Autumn 2026
He said, ‘I’m having a bleed,’ then passed out. That meant Brian received the right medical help for a brain haemorrhage from the start, improving his outcome.
He said, ‘I’m having a bleed,’ then passed out.
But although Caroline works as a critical care nurse, Brian’s recovery in hospital brought pressure.
Before Brian’s brain injury, life was spontaneous. “We were just enjoying life,” says Caroline.
“I knew what questions to ask, but advocating for Brian was exhausting,” she says. “I don’t think brain injury is understood enough. Brian was placed on a bright, noisy ward. It was so overwhelming and he was so distressed he’d try to leave.” Caroline found out about BICS by chance and phoned straight away. Within half an hour, Service Lead Helen Stewart was at her home. “It was like someone was finally interested,” says Caroline. “Until then, I felt like I was hitting my head off a brick wall. It was good to get some advice.” Eventually Caroline chose to bring Brian home, feeling it would benefit his recovery. But leaving hospital brought new challenges. “You leave hospital and it feels like, ‘That’s it, away you go. We’ve sorted you. But how do you live and adjust the rest of your life to that?” Brain Injury Community Support Helen Stewart is BICS Service Lead,
she says, “We offer practical and emotional support to people like Brian and Caroline, helping them rebuild confidence and manage everyday life.” “When we meet someone with a brain injury and their family, we take time to build the relationship, understand what they’re facing and work together on practical steps. “This might mean help with finances, housing, independent living skills or family needs. “Brain injury can happen to anyone, at any time, and its impact can be devastating.” Caroline agrees, and says fatigue has been one of the hardest effects to manage, with Brian sometimes sleeping for 14 hours. And because brain injury can affect judgement and impulse control, Brian can’t be left alone for more than an hour. It has changed Caroline’s role. “I’m a carer now, and that has had a big impact on both of us,” she says. Quest Autumn 2026 • Page 11
“Brian keeps saying he’s a burden, but he’s far from it.” “I’d do anything for Brian, but it can be full on.”
I’d do anything for Brian, but it can be full on.
BICS, which receives funding from Renfrewshire Council, also works with Renfrewshire Carers Centre to support a befriender, giving him extra support a Brain Injury Carers Support Group. and Caroline some time back. The This sits alongside other groups and support has helped Caroline feel less catch-ups run by the BICS team, giving alone. people affected by brain injury and “They’re just there. Sometimes I’ve their carers the chance to meet others texted one of the team to vent after in similar situations. a difficult day, when everything feels While Caroline now juggles work like it’s going wrong. around Brian’s appointments and Looking ahead, Caroline and Brian are support groups, she also knows she focused on progress. There are still can’t be with him all the time. medical issues to consider, including The BICS team is helping to find Brian MRIs and possible further procedures,
Hear from Brian Because his brain injury slows down his thinking and speech, it sometimes takes Brian longer to explain his thoughts these days. But he is clear on how connecting with other people who have experienced brain injury has been hugely beneficial. He says, “One of the most difficult things to hear is when doctors say to you, ‘It’s early days’. “You feel like you are changed so much and that your recovery is very slow so it’s not what you want to hear. “But the guys at the BICS support group have said that to me, and I’ve accepted it from them. No one knows what it’s like unless you’ve gone through it, but they do. “I can see they’ve made progress, so I believe in my own progress.”
but rehabilitation is Caroline’s biggest concern. “Brian is dealing with the emotional impact of what’s happened. We now have great physio and occuptional health support but I am currently advocating for specific neuro and psychological support.” Still, there have been hopeful moments, including a successful holiday. For Caroline, the future is about taking things one step at a time, with support from BICS for as long as needed. “We need to make the best of what we’ve got, because at the end of the day he’s here,” she says.
If it wasn’t for the BICS service, I don’t know where I would have been.
“I’ll be forever grateful that he lived.”
Caroline is our Christmas winner This year our Christmas card, “A Nutcracker Christmas” comes with Caroline’s meaningful story above. We’re delighted that Caroline is the winner of our Christmas card design competition. Her design, “A Nutcracker Christmas”, began in a relaxed arts and crafts session with the BICS group. What started as a simple creative activity became a festive card that will now help raise funds for Quarriers. Caroline says, “I’m not artistic, but the team said, ‘just have a go’. In the end I was getting right into it and found it relaxing.”
Order your pack today from our online shop Nutcracker Christmas card.
Pack of 10 - £3.50 150mm x 150mm
Quest Autumn 2026 • Page 13
making miles matter! Renfrewshire Supported Living Initiative are raising money with fun, friendship and connection at heart. Amanda Crawford, Project Manager says, “Isolation can affect the people we support. “They’re living in their own homes, across dispersed locations so sometimes they might only see their staff team. Access to day centres has changed in recent years so many of
them have less chance to see other people and socialise.” The social committee voted for a day out at the Five Sisters Zoo. “We hope we can raise enough funds for a day out together, including the specialist transport we need.”
On a sunny day in July, everyone came together to do a sponsored walk along Largs seafront.
£300
raised! Page 14 • Quest Autumn 2026
“Thank-you very much!” Tracy
A special mention to pals
Chris and Grant who also took on a sponsored cycle from Johnstone to Lochwinnoch and back again. Together they raised
£1,200 Well done!
“I want to go to Five Sisters Zoo to see the bears.” Chris
Chris and Grant with team leader, Caron Quest Autumn 2026 • Page 15
Aimee is a superstar 11-year-old Aimee took on the Kiltwalk to raise funds for The William Quarrier Scottish Epilepsy Centre. She raised an incredible £1,776.67, making her our highest ever Kiltwalk fundraiser. Aimee’s dad Mark received vital support during his stay at the centre, and seeing the difference this made inspired Aimee to give something back. We’re proud to celebrate everything she’s achieved.
If you are interested in taking part in Kiltwalk 2027, check out our events page for more information. Page 16 • Quest Autumn 2026
See more events