Fair Ways - 10.04.2025

Celebrating Portsmouth’s Brightest Businesses — and the Power of Fostering-Friendly Workplaces

Founder Gareth Web and Mac McHugh's Presenting the Fostering Friendly Employer Scheme at the Portsmouth Business Awards

What a night! The 25th annual Portsmouth Business Awards lit up Portsmouth Guildhall on March 27, celebrating the incredible talent and innovation of our city’s business community.

This year, Fair Ways had the honour of being the event’s official charity partner, and our very own Managing Director, Gareth Webb, joined the judging panel to help select the winners.

“The quality of all the entrants genuinely blew me away”, Gareth said. “We’re lucky to have such outstanding businesses right here in Portsmouth, who can showcase creativity, commitment and passion about the communities they serve.”

But it wasn’t just about recognising success. Gareth also used the opportunity to share something close to our hearts: the Fostering Friendly Employer scheme.

Led by The Fostering Network, this national initiative encourages businesses to support employees who are foster carers, whether that’s through flexible working, paid leave for training, or simply an open-minded policy for understanding.

“A lot of people would love to foster but hold back because they think it means quitting their job,” Gareth explained. “That’s not the case. With support from a Fostering Friendly Employer, it’s possible to do both, and it means businesses get to keep amazing staff who are doing something extraordinary outside of work.”

As we gear up for Fostering Fortnight (13-26 May), a national campaign to raise awareness of the UK’s urgent need for more foster carers, we’re inviting local businesses to be part of the change. Partnering with Fair Ways to become a Fostering Friendly Employer is simple, meaningful, and powerful. Fair Ways are offering to support local businesses to help guide them and be their Fostering charity.

Because together, we can help children and young people find the homes and support they deserve, without asking people to choose between their work and their hearts.

To request more information visit https://forms.office.com/e/EUkxsdHq2q