What does Ubuntu look like in practice?

For us at Pamodzi, it is about recognising that we are because of one another — that the people around us can help us discover our potential, find our confidence and become the best version of ourselves.

When we spoke to Gareth Webb, Managing Director of Fair Ways, one of his answers immediately made us think of Ubuntu.

If Gareth could have one superpower, he wouldn’t choose to fly or become invisible. He’d choose the ability to see potential in people before they can see it in themselves.

After many years working with children, young people and families, Gareth understands just how powerful it can be when someone believes in you — particularly when circumstances have made it difficult to believe in yourself.

And perhaps that’s Ubuntu in action: seeing something in someone, believing in them, and helping them to see it in themselves.

In this blog, we get to know Gareth a little better — his journey, what makes him proud of Portsmouth, the women who have influenced his leadership and why supporting the Pamodzi Inspirational Women of Portsmouth Awards feels like such a natural fit. 

Meet Gareth Webb: A Champion for Community, Young People and Women in Portsmouth 

When you spend time around people who genuinely care about their community, you can usually tell.

Gareth Webb, Managing Director of Fair Ways, is one of those people.

Since joining Fair Ways in 2005, Gareth has dedicated much of his career to improving the lives of children, young people and families. What stands out to me is his belief in the power of people coming together to create positive change — something that feels very familiar to Pamodzi.

A brilliant example is the Fostering Friendly Employer initiative, which has grown from an initial goal of engaging 50 local businesses to more than 150 organisations committed to creating more supportive workplaces for foster carers. That work contributed to Portsmouth becoming the UK’s first Fostering Friendly City — something the whole city can be proud of.

Celebrating the people who make a difference

This is one of the reasons Fair Ways’ support for the Pamodzi Inspirational Women of Portsmouth Awards feels so fitting.

For us, the awards are about more than a night of celebration. They are about saying we see you, we value what you do, and your contribution matters.

Gareth believes women should be recognised for the difference they make across our city — in their workplaces, businesses, families and communities. He also credits many of the inspiring women he has worked alongside with shaping his own leadership.

For Gareth, mentorship isn’t always formal. Sometimes it’s simply watching someone navigate challenges, lead with resilience, listen and empower others.

Those experiences have influenced his own approach: listen, give people space to shine and surround yourself with talented people who care about what they do.

And that commitment to recognising people who make a difference is something we are seeing right across Fair Ways at the moment.

Fair Ways has recently celebrated having an incredible three finalists at the National Children & Young People Awards. Gareth himself has been shortlisted for Biggest Impact (Individual), while the organisation’s RiiSE Trauma-based Practice Programme is a finalist for Biggest Impact (Team). Lucy Pearce, Senior Manager for RiiSE, has also been recognised as a finalist for the Wellbeing Award.

It’s a brilliant reflection of the people and values behind Fair Ways — and a reminder that impact comes in many different forms.

Proud to be part of Portsmouth

When asked what makes him proud of Portsmouth, Gareth talks about its people — its character, community spirit and willingness to come together to tackle challenges.

That’s something we share at Pamodzi.

It’s also why we are particularly pleased to have Fair Ways as an Ubuntu Sponsor of the Pamodzi Inspirational Women of Portsmouth Awards.

Ubuntu is a Bantu philosophy, most commonly expressed through the idea “I am because we are.” But for me, Ubuntu is about so much more than those four words.

It is about recognising our shared humanity. It is about understanding that who we become is shaped by the people around us — those who encourage us, support us, challenge us, open doors for us and sometimes simply believe in us when we don’t yet believe in ourselves.

It reminds us that success is rarely achieved alone.

And that feels particularly powerful when we think about the women we celebrate through the Inspirational Women of Portsmouth Awards. Behind every woman being recognised there will be a story of people who have helped, encouraged or inspired her along the way. And in turn, she will undoubtedly have done the same for someone else.

That is the spirit of Ubuntu.

We rise because others have helped us rise — and we have a responsibility to help others do the same.

For Pamodzi, having Fair Ways as an Ubuntu Sponsor therefore feels incredibly meaningful. Their work in fostering is fundamentally about relationships, belonging and creating the right environment for children and young people to thrive.

As an Ubuntu Sponsor, Fair Ways will also have a special award category within the Fostering Care Awards, giving us an opportunity to recognise someone making an outstanding difference to children, young people and families.

It feels like a very fitting way for Fair Ways to be part of the awards — recognising the people who are helping others to feel seen, supported and able to reach their potential.