Award-winning Five Rivers supports Trout ‘n’ About 2026

Five Rivers offers fostering, adoption, education and therapeutic support to children and families

Local social enterprise Five Rivers is celebrating a prestigious regional business award as it prepares to become a Rainbow Sponsor of Trout ‘n’ About for the first time.

Salisbury-based Five Rivers was recently awarded the inauguralOutstanding Contribution to the Solent Region Award at the Solent 250 Awards, in recognition of its commitment to improving the lives of local children, young people and families.

The awards celebrate some of the region’s leading privately-owned businesses. CEO Nicci Willock was also named a finalist in the CEO of the Year award category.

Five Rivers offers fostering, adoption, education and therapeutic support to children and families across Wiltshire, Hampshire and beyond. It is always looking for new foster paremts.

Samantha Russell, from Five Rivers, believes community events like Trout ‘n’ About perfectly reflect the values at the heart of the organisation.

“Trout ‘n’ About is just the kind of event that Five Rivers wants to support,” she says.

“We want to have conversations with people in our community about fostering and adoption.

“There are so many children and young people who desperately need the help that a stable family background can provide  –  and we’re always looking for foster carers who can give them that help.”

Five Rivers provides positive family experiences and creating strong support networks for carers.

Five Rivers was founded in 1989. Its business is transforming lives through fostering – not only by giving children the opportunity for a happier and more secure future, but also by providing positive family experiences and creating strong support networks for carers.

Samantha adds: “We know there are many people who could make a real difference in a child’s life but may not have previously considered fostering.

“Events like Trout ‘n’ About give us the opportunity to start those conversations and help people understand the difference they could make.”

Five Rivers is a Rainbow Sponsor of Trout ‘n’ About 2026. Its website is at five-rivers.org

Trout ‘n’ About 2026 takes place on Stockbridge High Street, on Sunday August 2.