< Previous10 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY AFFINITY FOSTERING Q&A Can you tell us a little about Affinity Fostering Services? Affinity Fostering Services is an Ofsted- rated outstanding fostering provider, caring for children across Lincolnshire, London, Kent, and Essex. They are seeking more carers to join their team of passionate, dedicated foster carers. “It’s so important to have a diverse pool of foster carers,” says Andy Robins, Director of Affinity Fostering. “We believe every child should have a nurturing family that can meet their specific needs. If we don’t have more foster carers, well- matched fostering homes become difficult to achieve and we end up having to turn children away, which is heart- breaking.” There are lots of myths around who can and can’t foster but in point of fact as long as you have a spare room, are motivated to make a difference in the lives of children and can dedicate the time and energy to caring for them, Affinity Fostering will welcome enquiries from you. Can I foster if I’m single? Some people wonder if they might be Q&A Empowering and enhancing young lives Fostering a child is something many people may not have considered, but there has been a lot more focus on the idea lately. We speak with Affinity Fostering Services in Lincolnshire to find out more about the process involved, and to answer a few common questions. LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 11 AFFINITY FOSTERING Q&A prevented from fostering because they are single but being single is not a barrier to becoming a foster carer, neither is sexual orientation, gender or marital status. As long as you are able to provide a comfortable and nurturing home for children and have a good support network, Affinity would love to talk to you about fostering. Am I too old to foster? You can foster if you are over 21 and there is no upper age limit for fostering but you do need to be fit and healthy enough to look after children and young people. Older foster carers can often bring valuable life experiences to the fostering role. Many older carers have also raised their own families and have the patience and understanding to provide a secure and nurturing home. Can I foster if I have my own children? Many of our foster carers have their own children and can draw on their parenting experience to support fostered children. We always make every effort to consider the needs of everyone in the household so that we can carefully match children and support them and their foster families. At Affinity, we have an excellent support team who are on hand to support every child in the household. Can I foster if I don’t own my own home? The answer is yes, as long as you have a secure tenancy and your landlord’s permission. Affinity will conduct a health and safety inspection on all homes to make sure they are safe and suitable for children. It is also necessary for fostered children to have their own bedroom where they can feel secure and have If you feel you could offer a loving home and change the life of a child forever, please contact Floria at Affinity Fostering on 01245 237158 or email her at info@affinityfostering.com. some privacy, so a spare bedroom is a must. Can I foster if I follow a religion? Yes! Faith often provides the deep motivation that is needed to successfully foster. Affinity has foster carers of all faiths and none. Foster carers are required to support all children to follow the faith that is part of their identity too. 12 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY HOMES A peaceful family home LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 13 HOMES This month’s featured property is an inviting abode perfect for families. I deally positioned in the heart of the countryside, yet only 10 minutes’ drive from Lincoln, Briargate is a property offering the “best of both worlds.” The owners, who have lived in the executive detached house for two and half years, enthuse about the location in 14 Á14 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY HOMES Spridlington. Jane shares: “It’s so incredibly peaceful and relaxing here, and the house itself is an absolutely fantastic family home that is beautifully well-proportioned with a really lovely private garden that overlooks fields and sheep.” The abode is approached by a block paved driveway, alongside which runs a lawned garden, leading to a garage and front door. Stepping into the property, one begins in the entrance porch, with its tiled floor and exposed brick wall, before transitioning into the entrance hall hosting the home’s stairs and solid wood floors that continue through the remainder of the ground level. Off to the left are a WC and cloakroom, while immediately to the right is the cosy lounge with a delightful bay window, exposed brick fireplace with multi fuel burner, and exposed beams. Returning to the hall and continuing ahead, the open plan kitchen/family/dining room can be found. With plenty of space for eager cooks, the Chiselwood kitchen includes fitted wall LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 15 HOMES and base units, granite worktops, a Lacanche five ring gas cooker, integrated dishwasher and microwave, a vaulted ceiling with eye-catching exposed beams, a breakfast bar, built-in pantry and storage cupboard, and French doors onto the enclosed rear garden. A handy utility room connects, with fitted wall and base units, space and plumbing for a washing machine, a sink, tiled splashbacks, and doors to the rear of the home and to the office — Jane’s favourite room in the house. “It’s a joy to work from,” she says. “The office looks out on to trees, so watching the changing colours each season and seeing squirrels run around provides a really lovely setting.” From here one can take a door to the garage. Exploring the first floor, a carpeted landing with a storage cupboard presents access to four bedrooms, with the master offering fitted wardrobes and an en-suite with tiled floor and walls, a low level WC, vanity wash hand basin, mains shower, 16 Á16 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY HOMES and heated towel rail. There is additionally a family bathroom, also with tiled flooring and walls, as well as a low level WC, bath with shower over, heated towel rail, and vanity wash hand basin. Venturing outside, to the rear of the property, a paved patio offers the ideal spot for a touch of al fresco dining, while a lawned garden and well established and well stocked borders and beds provide colour from the early spring to the late autumn. A magnificent, mature sweet chestnut tree is also worth noting, as well as the visiting wildlife, from squirrels to rabbits to owls. There is additionally a useful shed and security lights, and at the far end of the garden, a decked area perfect for lounging in the sun, which presents a welcome to the electric and Wi-Fi-connected cinema room created by the current owners. Jane says: “My husband transformed a cabin into a cinema room with a huge screen with a projector and mini bar; it’s a real home from home, and great for sporting events like the World Cup.” LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 17 Now Jane and her family are relocating out of the area, the time has come to sell. “It makes for a wonderful family home,” she noted, “and would require very little work for those moving in, other than putting their own stamp on the place.” Briargate is on the market with Mount & Minster with a guide price of £550,000 to £575,000.18 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY ARTISTIC LINCOLNSHIRE A lthough Craig has no formal training or education in the fine art industry, his distinctive comic book style work has drawn eyes all the same. With a background in comics, animation and video games that is abundantly clear from all he creates, Craig has carved out his own niche which is a mix of pop culture from Star Wars to Marvel and Hollywood to television. Craig also focuses on the innocence of childish roleplay and the emotions that can evoke. Self-taught, Craig is based in Yorkshire, but his work has travelled much further afield, and his unique style blending comic books and video design have meshed together into distinctive artistic pieces that can be recognised by everyone, even if you also don’t have a background in fine art. Craig Davison’s art captures innocent moments of wonder and roleplay and is born of a background in the very industries his art portrays. The power ofLINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 19 THE LITTLE RED GALLERY Love art? Then we’d love to meet you, please call in for a cup of tea and a chat. The Little Red Gallery are feeling ‘Love’ with a fantastic range of pieces and perfect gift ideas. If you’d like to see Craig’s work for yourself, head down to Lincoln’s Little Red Gallery ARTISTIC LINCOLNSHIRE Next >