At Lighthouse Fostering, we often talk about the importance of family. When a household decides to foster, it is not just the adults who step forward to make a difference; the children in the home play a vital role too. Today, we want to shine a spotlight on a very special young lady who has touched our hearts with her creativity and kindness.
We are absolutely delighted to share the story of Florence, a talented young artist aged 10. Florence is the birth daughter of a wonderful family who are currently going through the fostering application process with us. Her enthusiasm for the journey has been truly inspiring, and she recently gifted us something that has brought a huge smile to all our faces.
A Promise Kept in Paint
The fostering assessment process involves several visits to the family home. It is a time for us to get to know the prospective carers, but it is also a crucial time to get to know their children. We want to ensure that everyone in the household feels comfortable, heard, and involved in the decision to foster.
During one of our initial visits to Florence’s home, she got chatting with our Supervising Social Worker. In a moment of excitement, Florence promised that she would create a special piece of art for us. True to her word, she did not disappoint!
Inspired by our organisation’s name, Florence set to work creating a beautiful Lighthouse painting. She put her artistic skills to the test and produced a vibrant, colourful, and thoughtful piece of artwork that perfectly captures the spirit of what we do. It was a wonderful surprise to receive the finished piece, and we were incredibly touched by the time and effort she put into it.
Brightening Up Our Faversham Office
We believe that art deserves to be seen, especially when it is created with such love. We are proud to announce that Florence’s masterpiece has found a permanent home. It is now displayed prominently in the reception area of our Faversham office.
It is the first thing our staff and visitors see when they walk through the door, and it serves as a wonderful reminder of the families we support. The painting has truly brightened our office, adding a splash of colour and a lot of warmth to the space.
Every time we look at this Lighthouse painting, we are reminded of the amazing young people who are part of our community. Thank you, Florence, for your creativity and thoughtfulness. You are a star!
The Important Role of Birth Children
Florence’s lovely gesture highlights a very important aspect of the fostering journey: the role of birth children. We often refer to them as the "sons and daughters of foster carers," and they are the unsung heroes of the fostering world.
When a family fosters, the birth children share their parents, their home, their toys, and their time. They are often the ones who help a foster child feel welcome, showing them the ropes, playing games, and offering friendship. Their acceptance and adaptability are crucial to the success of a placement.
Seeing Florence engage with Lighthouse Fostering in such a positive and creative way is fantastic. It shows that she is not just a bystander in this process but an active and enthusiastic participant. It is clear that she has a big heart, and we have no doubt that she will be a wonderful foster sister when the time comes.
Fostering is a Whole Family Adventure
At Lighthouse Fostering, we believe that fostering is a whole family endeavour. We don’t just assess and support the adults; we support the entire household. We make sure that birth children like Florence are given the preparation and support they need to understand what fostering involves.
We involve them in the process from the very beginning, listening to their views and answering their questions. We also run events and activities where birth children can meet other young people from fostering families, helping them to build their own support networks and friendships.
Seeing the excitement of young people like Florence reminds us of why this approach is so important. When the whole family is on board, amazing things happen.
Join Our Creative Community
We are always looking for more families to join our supportive community. Whether you have children of your own or not, if you have a spare room and room in your heart, you could make a huge difference to a child's life.
Perhaps you have a budding young artist in your home who would like to be part of a fostering family? Or maybe you are just starting to think about whether fostering could be right for you. Whatever stage you are at, we would love to hear from you.
Thank you again to Florence for her beautiful artwork. It is a treasured addition to our office and a lovely symbol of the bright future ahead for her family as they continue their fostering journey.