Foster4 has welcomed the return of live events following the Covid-19 pandemic and supported the annual Disability Awareness Day (DAD).

Earlier this month, the biggest large-scale event of its kind in Europe celebrated the diversity of disability.

With exhibitors including Down Syndrome Cheshire and Halton SEND Carers Forum as well as Warrington Parents and Carers, local NHS Trusts and Cheshire Autism Support, Foster4 was in good company.

The team’s support workers were on hand throughout the day to provide information, inspiration and advice to visitors.

Support worker Laura said: “It was great to be back out in our community at DAD as it’s one of our favourite events of the year.

“We’ve been exhibiting here since we launched Foster4 and before that as separate local authorities.

“Attending events like this, allows us to reach a diverse audience of people with an interest in disability.

“We gain enquiries from people with a disability themselves, people with experience of caring for children and young people or adults with disabilities in their personal life, and also professionals who work in the sector.

“It’s a real opportunity to reach people with valuable skills including practical care skills, resilience, working alongside other professionals and agencies, and advocating on the behalf of those who may have less of a voice.”

She added: “All of these skills are massively valuable and transferable into fostering, particularly in relation to our children and young people with additional needs.

“So, we’re always keen to chat with everyone who attends.

“We give them insight into the role, provide them with a take home information pack and answer any questions they may have.

“We then follow them up via phone or email in the days following the event, to see if we can progress their enquiry further.”

For more information about fostering visit foster4.co.uk or call 01925 444100.

You can also email fosteringrecruitment@warrington.gov.uk or use @foster4cheshire on Facebook and Instagram.

A welcome return to face-to-face information sessions

Following the success of Disability Awareness Day (DAD), Foster4 will be holding the first face-to-face information session since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The sessions will be taking place at Castlefields Community Centre in Runcorn at 6pm on Monday, October 4.

Everyone is welcome to attend and there’s no need to book a place.

Further face-to-face events are planned for Warrington and Cheshire West and Chester with virtual events continuing into October.

There will be virtual sessions on Monday, October 11 and Tuesday, October 26 for anyone living in Cheshire West and Chester, Halton and Warrington.

More information about how to book onto the virtual events is available by visiting www.foster4.co.uk/info-sessions