Connect FAQs
Do you have questions about Connect?
Joining Connect gives you a backstage pass to an exclusive (and awesome!) members-only club – there’s nothing else quite like it, so it’s natural you might still be curious…
On this page, we’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions. We hope this gives you more information, but if there’s anything else you’re not sure about then please get in touch and ask our friendly team by emailing [email protected] or calling 020 8695 8107.
What is Connect?
Connect is an inclusive community designed to offer a safe place for care-experienced young people and adults to return to throughout life’s journey. Our team works collaboratively with members and there is a real sense of empathy and understanding that comes with the community.
Totally free to join, Connect is both a social space and a home-base packed with resources. We have frequent virtual meetups and events, a friendly team on-hand to listen to you, and an online Hub full of opportunities, blogs, advice, and regular freebies!
What we offer reflects what you want and need – we understand a community is a two-way street, so we embrace change, listen to members when co-creating together, and take a person-centred approach. Our members have the most important voice in Connect and your feedback is central to how we grow and change!
Read more about Connect.
Is membership free?
Connect is completely FREE to join!
Whether you’re joining an online event, coming on a get-away weekend, requesting a gift from Bargain Bay, attending a course, chatting to a member of our friendly team, or just browsing the Hub’s blogs and advice sections, it doesn’t cost you a penny!
How do I join?
It’s really simple to join Connect. just fill out the short registration form.
One of the Connect team will then contact you to arrange a convenient time to chat, so we can confirm your membership, get to know you a little, and answer any questions you might have.
We’ll then send you a welcome email with a login to the Connect Hub, our exclusive online members’ area, and you’re ready to begin your Connect journey!
Oh, and you can look forward to receiving your shiny membership box in the mail, filled with welcome goodies!
If you’d like to speak to our friendly Connect team, please email [email protected] or call 020 8695 8107.
Do I need to have been fostered through TACT to join Connect?
Yes, currently Connect is available exclusively to all young people aged 15+ who currently live, or who have previously lived, with TACT foster carers.
What’s on the Connect Hub?
The Connect Hub is a safe and secure online community space, exclusively for you, our members!
On there, you can sign-up to join our member-led activities and events – including regular meetups, activities, and masterclasses such as crafting and writing – plus you can access advice and support on anything from money to education! We also run free courses on everything from Leadership and Entrepreneurship to Animal Care! And, we also offer face-to-face events for you to come along to each year, if you wish.
Above all else though, it’s a community. And it’s a pretty special one, because you, our members, have a say in how it evolves and what it becomes.
If I add a comment to any of the Hub content, will it be visible to everyone?
Great question! We love it when members add their thoughts to the content on the Hub, but we also respect your choice on where your voice is heard, and by who. If you add a comment to our blogs or news articles then these are sent directly to the Connect Team, who will get in touch and check that you are happy for your comment to be seen by other members.
Do I need to have my video switched on to join any of the online events?
No – it’s completely up to you if you have your camera on or off. We welcome all our members to come into our online spaces in a way that feels comfortable to them, so you can have your video on or off, your microphone muted or not, and you can join in by writing in the chat box or just log-on and listen.
Some members choose to not come to any online events at all – and that’s ok too. We really do want you to take what you need or want from Connect, so there is no pressure to join events or get involved in things that don’t feel right.
Will I be asked any personal questions about my care experience, or have to speak at the meet-ups?
This is a great question, and we are pleased to say that the answer is no.
As a community, we welcome members into our spaces in a way that works for them. We don’t ask personal questions and we don’t have any expectation or rule that those who join Connect must speak or join-in at events, whether they’re online or in-person.
That said, we do understand that some people might want to talk about their personal experiences with others who understand the care experience – because of this, we offer one-to-one chats, video calls, and messages through our team of lived experienced practitioners to ensure that’s available.
In the past, we’ve also created specific online spaces for those who want to talk about more personal experiences together, or as a way of campaigning and creating change – such as with the English Care Review.
What if I don’t have time for Connect?
Then that is totally OK – we don’t ask for any level of commitment from our members.
Some of our members never come to events and may only speak with us every now and again, or even not at all. We’re here if you need or want us, and the Connect Hub is available for you to access 24/7.
Many of our members actually tell us that Connect makes their life easier – whether that’s by receiving free gifts or getting quick access to advice. It really is a ‘take what you need, when you need it’ approach.
How long is my membership?
As long as you’d like it to be!
You can join Connect from when you are 15 years old and you can keep using it throughout your lifetime, if and when you might want or need to. You can also choose to take a break from Connect at any time – and reactivate your membership whenever you’re ready.
If you’d like to pause receiving your Connect emails or take a break from our team getting in touch about things you might be interested in, you can either let us know directly or manage your membership preferences on the Connect Hub.
Is it true that I can request free gifts in the post?
This is indeed true!
In Connect, we have an area called Bargain Bay where you can request a free gift for yourself or another member. Gifts range from practical items for school or college, gifts for a new home, a new addition to your family, your children, gifts that are LGBTQIA+ themed, and we even have some Connect merchandise!
Do I need prior knowledge or experience to take part in any of the courses?
Our courses are great and lots of fun! We’re pleased to say that no experience is needed beforehand – just come with an open mind and an interest in the subject and we’re sure it’ll be a great experience.
How can I find out more information?
If you have any questions that haven’t been answered on this page, please do get in touch by dropping us an email at [email protected] or you can call our team on 020 8695 8107.
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