April Talk with Chido Poe

It’s April, the second month of Spring and does this mean April showers or will it be a time of sunshine end to end? We’re catching up with some business owners this month to see how things are looking for them this month. Today we're talking to Chido Poe who is managing director of the independent fostering agency Banya. Banya was created more than 25 years ago and has since helped 1000s of children to have safe homes across the UK and from overseas.

How is April looking for Banya? 
·      We are our finalising our goals in time for our new tax year which begins in July.
·      We are working with our new recruitment team alongside the marketing team.
·      The directors will be visiting Hampshire to have their coffee morning in person with their foster carers.
*And we're finalists for several awards this month so watch this space!

Are you taking part in any wider events or business collaborations this month? 
We will be collaborating with the Be Inspired event set up by our ambassador Ashley Jean Baptiste who is a tv broadcaster and journalist. He was brought up in foster care so he is very inspiring to our foster children and, in turn, they inspire him.  This event focuses on empowering young people in care and Banya will be helping to organise this amazing event. 

This month it’s Stress Awareness Month, what does stress mean to you? 
Stress is part of everyday life.  Due to work commitments, family, and friends it can feel overwhelming to get it all done.  

Also, life can throw difficult obstacles that you have to try to figure out how to overcome.  

The nature of our work and seeing what some of our children have been through can also cause stress.  

That is why it is important we offer our staff and carers the opportunity to talk to a therapist if they ever feel overwhelmed. It's not a weakness to ask for support, we see it as a strength. 

We take wellbeing very seriously in our organisation which does throw up particular emotional challenges, and one small thing we have done is to set up a wellbeing room in our head office so staff can go and chill out away from their desks. 

Did you know that April 28 is Pay It Forward Day? 
This is a very important concept for us as we pay it forward to Vana Trust, our charity that helps children around the world. For us it's about helping children here and overseas. Our website will explain how the trust works in more detail. We've done this for many years. 

Our foster carers have paid it forward in so many important but small ways such as making us cakes as well as the immense task and commitment of caring for our young people.  

And finally:
Wishing you all a peaceful and wonderful April and here's hoping we are all kinder to each other. 

For more information visit www.banya.co.uk