AN innovative adoption service project involving St Helens, Wigan and Warrington councils is in the running for a major award.

The WWiSH project has been nominated for the Municipal Journal’s annual awards in the category for making a real difference to people’s lives but more people willing to adopt are needed The service has slashed the length of time children must wait before being placed with an adoptive family and a recruitment campaign led to a surge in the number of people hoping to adopt.

St Helens Councillor Lynn Glover, Cabinet Member for Early Years and Young People's Services, said: “We’ve been able to attract a significant number of new adopters, but there is still a shortfall in the amount of people coming forward offering to give a child a home and the number of children waiting to be adopted.

“This is a national problem. I’d urge anyone who thinks they can offer a new home to a child to come forward and talk to us and help us to find forever families for the children that really need them.”

Could you provide a forever family for a child awaiting adoption? If so, please contact WWiSH - call 01942 487272, email wwish@wigan.gov.uk or go online at www.wwish.org.uk