Adopter Stories by Adoption Now

In this episode of Adopter Stories by adoption now, we sit down to chat with Matthew, who shares the heartfelt journey he and his husband took to become parents through adoption. After facing some personal challenges they found the path to adoption and ultimately, to their children. Matthew opens up about the emotional highs and lows of the process, the strength they found in each other, and how they navigated letting go of expectations to embrace something even more meaningful. He also offers thoughtful advice for anyone considering adoption, reminding us that while the journey may not always be easy, how it's so much worth it.With fewer people coming forward, now, more the ever, we need adopters, and once approved adopters are less likely to have to wait to be matched. You can find out more information about starting the adoption process by visiting our website which is www.adoptionnow.org.uk . There you will be able to download our information pack and fill our contact form to start your adoption story.You can also call our Information Line on 01204 336096. Open 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday you will be able to speak to a member of our welcome team who will be only too happy to answer any questions you have and help you start your adoption story.

In this episode we catch up with how our Bobbert campaign is going as it enters the final month of the campaign, and as the Bobbert campaign is ending we find out about the latest campaign from Adoption North West (www.adoptionnorthwest.co.uk) that kicked off this month. We also find out where our roadshows have been in March and I'll be highlighting a previous episode that you may have missed and that we think could be good for you to listen to if you are currently considering about adopting.If you are thinking about adoption or would like to start your adoption journey you can always visit our website, which is www.adoptionnow.org.uk or you can call our Information Line on 01204 336096 where a member of our team will be only too happy to answer any questions that you may have and help you to start!

In this second episode of the year we catch up with how our Bobbert's Adventures campaign is going, we find out where our roadshows will be in March and I'll be highlighting a previous episode that you may have missed and that we think could be good for you to listen to if you are currently considering about adopting.If you are thinking about adoption or would like to start your adoption journey you can always visit our website, which is www.adoptionnow.org.uk or you can call our Information Line on 01204 336096 where a member of our team will be only too happy to answer any questions that you may have and help you to start!

In this first episode of the year we are kicking things off with 2 campaigns that are running contiguously but both have the same aim in encouraging prospective adopters to come forward. 1st up we have ‘Bobbert's Adventures' and secondly ‘This is a sign'. Then, new for 2025 I'll be highlighting a previous episode that you may have missed and that we think could be good for you to listen to if you are currently thinking about adopting. And finally, we are back out on the road this year so I'll be letting you know where we've been already and where is next! If you are thinking about adoption or would like to start your adoption story you can visit our website, which is adoptionnow.org.uk or you can call our Information Line on 01204 336096 where a member of our team will be only too happy to answer any questions that you may have and help you to start your adoption story.

In this episode, the first of 2025, we thought it would be the perfect time to hit the ground running and help direct you to some of the best places that you can go to to get the best research information before starting your adoption journey. So for this episode I spoke to Recruitment Team managers Debbie and Jules about exactly where to start your research when you're initially thinking about adopting, I then chat with podcast regular Welcome Team manager Dan about contacting our agency and what we have available to help your research, and then finally I talk to Catrin, who is the main social worker here at adoption now who presents our ever important online information events. If you have any questions around starting your adoption journey with adoption now, you are more than welcome to call our Information Line on 01204 336096 or you can also contact us through our website at adoptionnow.org.uk. So without further ado, let's get your research started…

In this final episode of the year we hear about our most recent event here at Adoption Now – Winter Wonderland. We'll also be taking a look back across our latest series of Christmas special episodes of the podcast, finding out about our latest blog post, how our most recent roadshows along with a message from our head of service, Katrina, and finally Welcome Team Manager, Dan, will be back along with Amy, an advanced practice manager on our Care Planning team here at adoption now where they will be rounding off our getting ready to adopt segment – which, for the final time looks at Introductions. Links: Adopters Stories for Christmas - www.adoptionnow.org.uk/podcasts Festive Blog - https://www.adoptionnow.org.uk/top-parenting-tips-for-during-the-fesive-period If you are thinking about adoption or would like to start your adoption story you can always visit our website, which is www.adoptionnow.org.uk or you can call our Information Line on 01204 336096 where a member of our team will be only too happy to answer any questions that you may have and help you to start your adoption journey!

In the weeks leading up to Christmas we are excited to bring you very some special, brand new festive episodes of our Adopter Stories podcast. We asked some of our families about their Christmas memories as adoptive parents and what they are most looking forward to this Christmas. In this fourth and final episode we had the privilege of sitting down to chat with Adele & Steve. If you are considering adoption and would like to enquire with Adoption Now, or ask any questions that you may have then please head over to our website which is www.adoptionnow.org.uk . Or, alternatively you can ring our information line on 01204 336096. Our Information line is open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

In the weeks leading up to Christmas we are excited to bring you very some special, brand new festive episodes of our Adopter Stories podcast. We asked some of our families about their Christmas memories as adoptive parents and what they are most looking forward to this Christmas. In this third episode we had the privilege of sitting down to chat with Neil. If you are considering adoption and would like to enquire with Adoption Now, or ask any questions that you may have then please head over to our website which is www.adoptionnow.org.uk . Or, alternatively you can ring our information line on 01204 336096. Our Information line is open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

In the weeks leading up to Christmas we are excited to bring you very some special, brand new festive episodes of our Adopter Stories podcast. We asked some of our families about their Christmas memories as adoptive parents and what they are most looking forward to this Christmas. In this second episode we had the privilege of sitting down to chat with Lyndsey. If you are considering adoption and would like to enquire with Adoption Now, or ask any questions that you may have then please head over to our website which is www.adoptionnow.org.uk . Or, alternatively you can ring our information line on 01204 336096. Our Information line is open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

In the weeks leading up to Christmas we are excited to bring you very some special, brand new festive episodes of our Adopter Stories podcast. We asked some of our families about their Christmas memories as adoptive parents and what they are most looking forward to this Christmas. In this first episode we had the privilege of sitting down to chat with Dan. If you are considering adoption and would like to enquire with Adoption Now, or ask any questions that you may have then please head over to our website which is www.adoptionnow.org.uk . Or, alternatively you can ring our information line on 01204 336096. Our Information line is open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

With National Adoption Week taking place 21st – 27th October we will be rounding up our activity across this important week and beyond. We'll also be finding out about our brand new, pre-recorded information events, the latest national adopter journey practice standards from Adoption England and finally Welcome Team Manager, Dan, will be back along with Luisa, a car planning manager here at adoption now and they will be continuing our getting ready to adopt segment – which this time looks at the matching process once you have been approved as an adopter. Adoption Now Pre-Recorded Information Event To book your place visit www.adoptionnow.org.uk/events Adoption England National Practice Standards for the Adopter Journey https://adoptionengland.co.uk/sites/default/files/2024-10/CMT24-008%20Adopter%20Journey%20WEB.pdf If you are thinking about adoption or would like to start your adoption story you can always visit our website, which is www.adoptionnow.org.uk or you can call our Information Line on 01204 336096 where a member of our team will be only too happy to answer any questions that you may have and help you to start your adoption story.

Back in March of 2023 we released an episode of this podcast simply entitled Dad Pod. The name came from one of the adoptive dads who took part in the round table discussion, in which we handed over the mic to 4 adoptive dads who talked openly about their experiences of adopting and going through the adoption process. The aim of Dad Pod was to be less a recruitment tool and more of a support tool for adoptive dads; allowing them to be able to talk and open up about their experiences amongst like minded people. Since release Dad Pod has become one of our most ‘listened to' episodes, being heard, not just in our local authority areas but up and down the country, even being cited in a Prospective Adopters Report by an adoption agency in the south of England, in which they talked about how useful the adopters found this episode as part of their own adoption journey. The content of the discussions and being able to talk freely meant that the guests and listeners alike felt they got so much from the episode. So, more than a year on we felt it was high time we brought together more adoptive dads for the sequel, Dad Pod 2! For this episode we have Connor, Aaron, Gio and Gary. Four adoptive dads who show us that while no adoption is the same, there are times when everyone has the same feelings, has the same thoughts and to know that you aren't alone in this journey. During the conversation the dads touch on mental health, their identities, the impact that adoption can have on your relationship, the importance of peer mentors and more. Welcome to Dad Pod 2!

With National Adoption Week taking place 21st – 27th October we will be finding out what his national week of celebration - www.youcanadopt.co.uk . We'll also be finding out about our brand new, revamped website, the latest on our Roadshows and finally Welcome Team Manager, Dan, will be back with the next feature in our getting ready to adopt segment – which this time is all getting ready for panel! If you are thinking about adoption or would like to start your adoption story you can always visit our website, www.adoptionnow.org.uk or you can call our Information Line on 01204 336096 where a member of our team will be only too happy to answer any questions that you may have and help you to start your adoption story!

At Adoption Now we love to partner with groups that we feel enhance the adopter journey. Providing extra value and support for adopters that goes above and beyond the already amazing support that we are able to offer. One of our partner groups are Proud 2 B Parents, an inclusive organisation run by and for LGBT+ parents / carers to be who run a variety of services, events and training. We are proud sponsors of Proud 2 B parents and the work they do locally in our local authority areas, and beyond, to support LBGT+ families, 19% of our matched adopters identified as LGBT+ last year, and we are always eager to ensure that the families we work with have access to support services, groups, and advice they need as they progress as a family. I sat down to chat with Matt Taylor-Roberts, who is the Founder and Managing Director of Proud 2 B Parents. We talk about how Proud 2 B Parents came about, the work they do and what advice they would give to LGBT+ people who are thinking about adopting. If hearing from Matt has given you the push you need to further explore adoption with us then please visit our website www.adoptionnow.org.uk where you will be able to find out all about the adoption process and download our free information pack. You will also be able to book onto one of upcoming online information events and complete our contact form to start your adoption story. Proud 2 B Parents website: www.proud2bparents.co.uk

Our pioneering ‘Mentor Scheme' was one of the first in the country and ensures that someone is always there, should you need it, to help guide you through one of the biggest, life-changing commitments you can make. In this second of a two part series of interviews for our You Are Not Alone campaign, I sat down to chat with Natalie and Helen, two of our amazing mentors to talk about their own support network, family and what adoption means to them. If you have been inspired to start your adoption story then please visit www.adoptionnow.org.uk where you will be able to find out more about the adoption process itself, download our information pack, book on to one of our upcoming online information events and fill out our contact form to start your adoption story!

In this episode we will be finding out about our brand new campaign You Are Not Alone, our latest Roadshow in which we attended Family Pride in Manchester with our friends at Proud2BeParents, how Adoption Now were on local BBC radio and finally Welcome Team Manager, Dan, will be back with the next feature in our getting ready to adopt segment – which this time is all about Stage 2! If you are thinking about adoption or would like to start your adoption story you can always visit our website, which is adoptionnow.org.uk or you can call our Information Line on 01204 336096 where a member of our team will be only too happy to answer any questions that you may have and help you to start your adoption story.

They say it takes a village to raise a child, and when it comes to adoption this saying takes on even more significance. Following on from the recent You Can Adopt national campaign, we are launching our own, brand-new campaign You are Not Alone, that aims to highlight that Adoption Now is not just an adoption agency, we are a community working to find safe, loving, and secure homes for hundreds of children across the North-West and supporting each other in the process. In this first of a two part series of interviews for our You are not alone campaign, I sat down to chat with Clare and Abubakar, two of our amazing mentors to talk about community, family and what it means to them to be a mentor. If you are inspired to start your adoption story then please visit www.adoptionnow.org.uk where you will be able to find out more about the adoption process itself, download our information pack, book on to one of our upcoming Online Information Events and fill out our contact form.

In this episode of Extra Time we will be finding about the brand new, national campaign The Journey from You Can Adopt, the exciting plans we have in place for Dad Pod – Episode 2!, our latest Roadshow and finally, Dan, our Welcome Team Manager will be back with the next feature in our getting ready to adopt segment – which this time is all about Stage 1! To listen to the latest You Can Adopt podcast visit https://soundcloud.com/user-614622571/the-adoption To learn more about the latest You Can Adopt campaign 'The Journey' at www.youcanadopt.co.uk If you want to get involved and let us know about your own adoption journey. You can record a video or audio snippet and we will post it to our socials and/or use it in this podcast! If you are thinking about adoption or would like to start your adoption story be sure to visit our website, which is www.adoptionnow.org.uk or you can call our Information Line on 01204 336096 where a member of our team will be only too happy to answer any questions that you may have and help you to start your adoption story!

In this episode we reflect on our Hope for a Brighter Future Campaign which is coming to an end this month. June saw us hold our annual service day, in which the whole service came together to review the last year. We'll be hearing from our head of service about the day itself. And then we finish the episode with part three of our brand new, monthly feature – getting you ready to adopt. In this series of interviews with our Welcome Team Manager Dan; we will be running through each step of the process so you will know what to expect as part of your adoption story and in this episode Dan talks us about the Registration of Interest. If you are thinking about adoption or would like to start your adoption story you can visit our website, which is www.adoptionnow.org.uk or you can call our Information Line on 01204 336096 where a member of our team will be only too happy to answer any questions that you may have and help you to start your adoption story.

One of the biggest pieces of training that takes place in Stage 1 is Preparation Training. A 3 day, in person course in which we aim of to prepare our adopters for what's to come during their adoption journey, so they know what to expect and also build on their knowledge of what adoption is. So to give you a little jump start on what's to come if and when you start your adoption story, I sat down to chat with Kayleigh, one of our experienced social workers here at adoption now, who delivers this training. Amongst other things, we find a bit more about what prep training is and what it is that you will get out of the training. If hearing about prep training has got you excited to find out more about how you start your adoption story, why not come along to one of our upcoming Online Information Events? Taking place online, our Online Information Events are the perfect place to start YOUR adoption story. There you can find out all about the process itself, where preparation training fits into the process and also ask any questions you have; our social worker presenter and adopter guest speaker will be only too happy to answer your questions. To book, simply head over to www.adoptionnow.org.uk/events Alternatively you can also call our Information Line to start your adoption story – open 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday simply call - 01204 336096 and a member of our team will be only too happy to help you start!

In episode 3 of Extra Time we recap on our current Hope for a Brighter Future Campaign, we'll find out about the pressing need we have for adopters to come forward. Our adoption now roadshows across our local authority areas carries on with Bolton and Blackburn. And then we finish the episode with part two of our brand new, monthly feature – getting you ready to adopt. In this series of interviews with our Welcome Team Manager Dan; we will be running through each step of the process so you will know what to expect as part of your adoption story and in this episode Dan talks to us about Initial Visits. If you are thinking about adoption or would like to start your adoption story you can visit our website, which is www.adoptionnow.org.uk or you can call our Information Line on 01204 336096 where a member of our team will be only too happy to answer any questions that you may have and help you to start your adoption story.

Extra time is where each month we are going to bring you more about what's going on within the agency by going behind the scenes on projects and campaigns that we are currently working on; giving you important dates for your diary,and we'll also occasionally feature case studies of some of the children that we are currently finding families for, and much more. In this episode we are taking a look at our brand new campaign with Sarah, a member of our welcome team and our marketing team; I'll be chatting with Amanda about our recent Adoption Day and also Catrin, one of our social workers here at Adoption Now about the brand new, regional campaign Adoption North West. And then we'll finish up the episode with the start of our brand new, monthly feature – getting you ready to adopt. In this series of interviews with our Welcome Team Manager Dan; we will be running through each step of the process that you can expect to form your adoption story. Today we are going right back to the very beginning and talk about Initial enquiry Forms. Our Online Information Events for May are as follows: Wednesday 15th May at 12pm Wednesday 29th May at 5pm To book your place simply head over to www.adoptionnow.org.uk/events and click on the best date for you. If you are thinking about adoption or would like to start your adoption story you can always visit our website, which is www.adoptionnow.org.uk or you can call our Information Line on 01204 336096 where a member of our team will be only too happy to answer any questions that you may have and help you to start your adoption story.

This April we are launching our brand new campaign – hope for a brighter future. This will be a large scale campaign as now more than ever we need adopters to come forward for all our children. The campaign focusses on raising awareness of the positive difference adopters can make to a child's future. This campaign is going live on the 22th April so keep your eyes out for our adverts when you're out and about in our local authority areas! In this latest episode we catch up with Dan & Hayley, who adopted siblings, and find out the positive difference that they have made to the lives of their adopted children. Sibling groups are often some of the children who wait the longest to adopted so in this episode we find out why Dan & Hayley came to the decision to adopt siblings, what have been some of challenges of adopting siblings and of course we talk about the highs too. If hearing their story has got you thinking about adopting siblings, then we would love to hear from you. With fewer people coming forward, now, more the ever, we need adopters, and once approved adopters are less likely to have to wait to be matched. You can find out more information about starting the adoption process by visiting our website which is www.adoptionnow.org.uk. There you will be able to download our information pack and fill our contact form to start your adoption story. You can also call our Information Line on 01204 336096. Open 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday you will be able to speak to a member of our welcome team who will be only too happy to answer any questions you have and help you start your adoption story. Don't forget we are going to be releasing two episodes per month going forward so if you don't already, make sure you have clicked that subscribe button so you don't miss any future episodes.

Going forward this podcast is changing with the addition of a new, extra episode each month! In this new episode we are going to be able to bring you more about what's going on within the agency by going behind the scenes, important dates for your diary, occasional case studies of some of the children that we are finding families for, updates on any campaigns that we are currently running and much more. In this first episode we take a look back at our recent ‘I Became a Parent when…' campaign, and we also find out about our roadshows…and much more! We always love hearing from you and we want to know, what do you want to hear in future episodes? Are there any topics that you feel we should be covering, that we haven't covered so far and is something that you would like to find out more about? If there is be sure to let us know by emailing marketing@adoptionnow.org.uk and we will do our best to try and include your chosen topic in a future episode of Adopter Stories by Adoption Now.

Choosing to adopt is not a decision that is taken likely. We get that. It's a life changing decision that can often lead to making big changes in your own lifestyle before you take on the responsibility of a child or children. That could be choosing to become a little healthier, gaining more experience in child care or even moving house. And for our guest in this episode that is just what happened to her. Hannah started her adoption story back during the very start of Covid and as a single adopter she realised how important her wider support network will be so with this she decided that, during one of the biggest life decisions you can make, that she would do another one at the same time move house! Aswell as the house move, we find out about how she came to the decision to adopt and we also discuss representation of single adopters and adoption in general in the wider media. If hearing Hannah's story has got you thinking about starting your adoption story why not book onto one of our upcoming Online Information Events. We run them twice monthly and they are 100% live over TEAMS. We talk through the adoption process, then we have an adopter guest speaker join us who tells their adoption story and we wrap up the event by have a Q&A where you can ask any questions that you may have. Visit adoptionnow.org.uk/events to book your free place!

If you are new to adoption and new to thinking about whether adopting is right for you and your family, during your research you may or may not have heard the term care planning or family finding. Here at adoption now we are essentially made up of 3 teams. Our Recruitment team, our support team and our care planning or family finding team. Across our social media channels and our website we focus a lot on the recruitment of adopters and our amazing support team for our children and adopters alike. But we don't often get chance to talk about our Careplanning Team. Now you may hear other agencies refer to these teams as Family Finding. And as the name suggests, their role is to find adopters for the children they are case holding for. For this episode I sat down to chat with 2 members of our Careplanning team to find out how they go about finding a family, some of the challenges that they face and what they look for in adopters for their children. If you are thinking about adopting and looking for the perfect place to start, we always recommend that you come to one of our Online Information Events. Hosted by one of our social workers, featuring an adopter guest speaker they are best place for you to have your questions about adoption answered! They take place twice a month on Microsoft TEAMS and you can reserve your free place at our next event by visiting adoptionnow.org.uk/events Or if you would like to speak to a member of our team why not call our information line on 01204 336096. Our Information line is open 9am- 5pm Monday to Friday and member of our Welcome Team will be only too happy to take your call and answer any questions that you may have.

If you have been out in our local authority regions you may well have seen billboards for our latest campaign ‘I became a parent when…' We have launched this campaign to highlight the positives that come with becoming or growing a family through adoption. The campaign has launched at a time when the numbers of people coming forward to adopt is unfortunately at an all-time low, and this especially affects some of the region's most vulnerable children. In fact at the time of recording there are currently more children waiting for families than there are adoptive families being approved so we really do need adopters to come forward. For this campaign tie-in episode we put the call out to some of our amazing adopters to find out just when they felt that spark, that time when they felt like they felt that special moment happen. And they answered with some amazing memories! If they have inspired you to find out more about starting the adoption process just give us a call on our information line and we'll be only too happy to speak to you! The number is 01204 336096 and our line is open 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday. You can also start your adoption story by visiting our website – adoptionnow.org.uk!

The latest, national figures show that in 2023, 1 in 5 adoptions in England were to same sex couples. Now, while this is a fantastic stat we realise that not everyone in the LGBTQ+ community feel that they will be supported or even welcomed in the same way as heterosexual couples when they start the adoption process. At adoption now this couldn't be further from the truth and we felt it was high time to highlight the support and inclusivity we offer to ALL of our adopters; no matter their sexuality, whether they are in a relationship or single. We understand that picking up the phone to call us or filling in the contact form on our website is such a huge step to take, and we want you to know that you will be supported right from the very start. Our guests on this episode are Emma & Jo and Rhiannon. Emma & Jo are a young LGBTQ+ couple who have adopted two children and Rhiannon, along with her partner has adopted via the Fostering for adoption route. We brought Emma & Jo and Rhiannon together to help us record our latest ad for GAYDIO however, what we ended up with as a bonus is a whole episode for our podcast. You will find out about their adoption story, the support that they felt throughout the adoption process and also some of their most memorable moments so far. If hearing their story has given you that little push to want to find out more about adoption and the adoption process, why not call our information line on 01204 336096 where a member of our Welcome Team will only be too happy to help you start your adoption story. You can also visit our website, which has loads of resources, adoption stories, our entire podcast library and where you can download our Adoption Information Pack. And if you don't quite feel ready to call us you can also fill out our contact form on the website.

For our first episode of 2024 we wanted to take things right back down to basics and give you the best advice possible for starting your adoption story. There are a lot of myths that still exist around adoption and the adoption process and often a lot of these myths will tie in with your own questions that you want to find the answers too. There is a wealth of information out there on the internet and social media; so in the episode we will be busting a lot of the most common myths; giving you the most accurate and upto date advice that we have. And when I say we I am of course talking about my guest; who in the first episode of 2024 is the manager of our Welcome Team; Dan. Dan has a wealth of experience and knowledge and we are going to tap into that first in our interview and then with a quick fire myth busting round! If you are thinking about adoption then please head over to our website www.adoptionnow.org.uk where you will find a wealth of information about the adoption process, you will also be able to download our Information pack and also book onto one of our upcoming Information Events. Alternatively you can always call us on 01204 336096 and a member of our Welcome Team will be only to happy to answer any questions that you may have around starting the adoption process.

In the weeks leading up to Christmas we have been excited to bring you very some special, festive episodes of our Adopter Stories podcast, in which we asked some of our families about their first Christmas as adoptive parents, those first precious moments as a family. In this fourth and final episode we had the privilege of sitting down to chat with Shauneen, finding out about their first Christmas as a family. If you are considering adoption and would like to enquire with Adoption Now, or ask any questions that you may have then please head over to our website which is www.adoptionnow.org.uk. Or, alternatively you can ring our information line on 01204 336096. Our Information line is open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Thank you very much for listening and we hope that you have a brilliant Christmas!

In the weeks leading up to Christmas we are excited to bring you very some special, festive episodes of our Adopter Stories podcast. We asked some of our families about their first Christmas as adoptive parents, those first precious moments as a family. In the third episode we had the privilege of sitting down to chat with Matthew, finding out about their first Christmas as a family. If you are considering adoption and would like to enquire with Adoption Now, or ask any questions that you may have then please head over to our website which is www.adoptionnow.org.uk. Or, alternatively you can ring our information line on 01204 336096. Our Information line is open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

In the weeks leading up to Christmas we are excited to bring you very some special, festive episodes of our Adopter Stories podcast. We asked some of our families about their first Christmas as adoptive parents, those first precious moments as a family. In this first episode we had the privilege of sitting down to chat with Tracey, finding out about their first Christmas as a family. If you are considering adoption and would like to enquire with Adoption Now, or ask any questions that you may have then please head over to our website which is www.adoptionnow.org.uk. Or, alternatively you can ring our information line on 01204 336096. Our Information line is open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

In the weeks leading up to Christmas we are excited to bring you very some special, festive episodes of our Adopter Stories podcast. We asked some of our families about their first Christmas as adoptive parents, those first precious moments as a family. In this first episode we had the privilege of sitting down to chat with Terry, finding out about their first Christmas as a family. If you are considering adoption and would like to enquire with Adoption Now, or ask any questions that you may have then please head over to our website which is www.adoptionnow.org.uk. Or, alternatively you can ring our information line on 01204 336096. Our Information line is open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

At Adoption Now we take great pride in the way we are able to support our families so, with Christmas just on the horizon we thought it would be good to offer some extra support and advice for the holidays. There is no doubt that Christmas is a magical time of year; what with all the lights, sounds, smells and traditions that are associated with it. However, a lot of children find this time of year hard, with all the sudden changes to routines and all the expectations that come with it along with a sensory overload as the world changes around them. Children in care have often experienced so much trauma in their early lives that Christmas can often be especially hard for them and their families. We readily acknowledge that this isn't the case for every looked after child but to try and help alleviate some of the pressures for both children and their families, I sat down to chat with Rita, one of our resident Therapeutic Parenting experts to get some hints & tips around making the most of the festive period and creating the best time possible for children and the wider families. At this moment in time we have more need than ever for anyone who is thinking about adopting to come forward. If you are looking to start your adoption story why not contact our Information Line on 01204 336096, and maybe you could start making some new traditions of your own. You can also visit www.adoptionnow.org.uk which is packed full of information about adoption and the adoption process.

National Adoption Week (16th – 22nd October) by You Can Adopt, backed by Northwest Regional Adoption Agency, Adoption Now is celebrating the life stories of different generations of adopted people to encourage potential adopters to come forward to change the lives of children who are still waiting for their forever home. To find out more about the National Adoption Week campaign or to seek information or support, visit www.youcanadopt.co.uk/NAW2023 If you are thinking about adoption we would love you to consider adopting with our agency - you can all our Information Line on 01204 336096 or visit our website www.adoptionnow.org.uk! #NationalAdoptionWeek

Brothers and sisters, or sibling groups, are often one of the groups of children who often wait the longest for their forever families. These siblings have such a unique, and powerful bond and they have often been through extremely difficult circumstances and in most situations have been the only constant within each other's lives. So when it comes to our family groups, we always try our best to keep them together and need adopters who can consider adopting siblings. We always ask our adopters if they could open their minds and consider whether they could adopt siblings, which we know can seem a little daunting, but rest assured that we have the Adoption Support team to help and support both you and the children. For our current Do you know our children? campaign I sat down to chat with Andrea, who along with her husband adopted their two boys. We not only find out about their story, but we also talk openly about the challenges that they encountered and the fantastic joys too. . If hearing andrea's story has got you considering adopting siblings then we would love to hear from you. You can call our Information Line on 01204 336096 or you can visit our website adoptionnow.org.uk to find out more about adoption, the adoption process and how to start your adoption journey. If you're ready to take the first steps on your adoption journey but don't feel ready to call us just yet, why not book on to one of our Online Information Events? 100% live and free to attend, they are hosted by one of our social workers, along with an adopter guest speaker who tells us their adoption story. We go through the adoption process, what it looks like and how it works and we finish the event with a live Q&A. They are the perfect place to start so head over to adoptionnow.org.uk/events to book your free place.

The overwhelming majority of people who contact our agency and are thinking about adopting do so with the intention of adopting a child that is aged 0 to 2 years old. And understandably everyone has their reasons for this. However, our latest figures show that 40% of our children that have a Placement Order are in fact 3 years old or older, and with this group of children waiting the longest for their forever families we have more need than ever for adopters to consider whether they could adopt an older child. These are still very young children, and due to the nature of their births there will be some developmental delay, meaning that while these older children may present as older they are in fact still very young and need just as much love and attention. But how do you officially class a child as older? At what age do YOU consider a child to be classed as old? The team at Adoption Now hit the road at shopping centres in Bolton, Blackburn and Bury to challenge these preconceptions at our recent July Roadshows! We took five life-sized, cardboard cut-outs, based on real children, were displayed and passers-by were asked how old they thought they were based on their height. The children ranged from ten months old to seven years old. 100% of the people asked were unable to guess all the children's ages correctly with 23% guessing only one child's age right. On average the children were thought to be between one and four years older than they actually were. In this episode we will here how people across all 3 roadshows reacted to the answers! If you are thinking about adopting and could now consider adopting a child over the age of 3 we would love to hear from you. You can visit our website which is www.adoptionnow.org.uk or you can call our Information Line on 01204 336096 where a member of the team will be able to answer ANY questions you may have about adoption and the adoption process. And don't forget, you can also book your free place at one our upcoming Online information events. 100% live and hosted by one of our social workers with an adopter guest speaker, these are the perfect place to start your adoption journey. You can book your free place by visiting www.adoptionnow.org.uk/events

Did you know that we are the only Regional Adoption Agency in the North West of England that offers a Mentoring Service to adopters? It's an invaluable service that we offer to all of our adopters and is designed to be a safe and supportive space where they can share their experiences with their Mentors who are themselves experienced adopters. Our mentors have been there and done it, and they are fully trained to support our adopters as they progress through their adoption journey. After all, no one like another adopter gets what going through the adoption process is like. In this episode I sat down to chat with members of our Mentoring service to find out how it all works, when it started and just how much our adopters value the service. Has this episode got you wanting to find out more about adoption and the adoption process? Why not visit www.adoptionnow.org.uk/events and book yourself on to one of our free Online Information Events. Hosted by one of our social workers, along with an adopter guest speaker our events are 100% live and are the perfect place for you to ask ANY questions that you may have about adoption and the adoption process. You can also call our Information Line, where a member of our team will be able to get you started on your adoption journey. Open 9am – 5pm Mon – Friday you can call our Information line on 01204 336096.

Throughout April to June we have been focusing on our Every Step campaign. As a fitting end to this campaign and with the brand new national adoption campaign from You Can Adopt starting on the 20th June I thought it would be an ideal time to sit down and reflect on the breadth of support that we offer to our adopters here at Adoption Now. My guest in this episode is our Head of Service Karen Barrick. She tells us about the support that is available, we cover the Adoption Support Fund and we also find out about the goals of this years You Can Adopt Campaign. If you would like to find out more about the You Can Adopt national campaign simply visit www.youcanadopt.co.uk or www.adoptionnow.org.uk/youcanadopt Want to start YOUR adoption journey? You can contact us directly via our online enquiry form at www.adoptionnow.org.uk or you can call our Information Line on 01204 336096

In the latest episode of Adopter Stories by Adoption Now I sat down to chat with one of our adopters who accessed our therapeutic parenting course. We find out how they accessed the course, how they found it and how it helped their family. If you are thinking about adoption we would love to hear from you. Visit www.adoptionnow.org.uk to fill out our Online Enquiry Form or you can all our Information Line on 01204 336096!

As an agency we are extremely passionate about putting our children first and at the heart of everything that we do. We are only as good as our team, and we are extremely lucky to have a truly amazing team here at Adoption Now! On the 1st June we are holding our Online Jobs Fair and we are inviting YOU to come and find out what it's like to be part of this amazing team along with finding out about the roles that we currently have vacancies for. In this episode you will get a sneak preview by hearing from some of our team talking about their roles and what they enjoy most about working at Adoption Now. Book YOUR place at our Online Jobs Fair by visiting www.adoptionnow.org.uk/joinourteam

The beginning of April saw the launch of our ‘We're with you EVERY step of the way campaign', in which we focus on the support that we offer here at Adoption Now; from that first contact and beyond. As part of this campaign we are proud our brand-new Welcome Team. While a new team they are highly trained, caring, and understanding professionals who staff our Information Line, and are often the first point of contact for the majority of our prospective adopters. In this episode I sat down to chat with Sarah, a member of our Welcome team and who is often the voice that you will hear answering the phone. You will hear that no question is a bad question and that between them, our Welcome Team have probably heard your question so many times before. What you can expect is a warm, friendly greeting from someone who is there for you right at the start of your adoption story. If hearing that warm welcome you will receive has got you thinking about Adopting through our agency then we would love to hear from you. You can visit our website www.adoptionnow.org.uk and fill out our online enquiry form OR you can call our Information Line on 01204 336096 and who knows, you may even speak to Sarah! Finally, we have some dates for your calendar! Our Online Information Events are the perfect place to help kick start your adoption story. Hosted by one of our social workers, along with a q&a with one of our adopters you will be able find out about adoption and the adoption process itself….and you can also ask any questions that you may have too! Dates for May 2023 are taking place on Wednesday 10th May at 12pm and Tuesday 23rd May at 5pm. To book your free place, visit adoptionnow.org.uk/events.

In the longest episode we have ever done we sat round the table with 4 of our adoptive dad's to find out about their experiences of adoption and the adoption process itself! If you're thinking about adoption then we could love to hear from you. You can contact us through our website www.adoptionnow.org.uk or you can all our information line on 01204 336096, and this line is open 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday.

Have you been to one of our Virtual Information Events? When the Covid 19 pandemic started we had to stop hosting our in-person Information Events. However, this enabled us to re-evaluate how we do them and by taking them online we have made it easier than ever for any one who is thinking about adoption to attend from the comfort of your own home! They are led by a social worker and finish with an interview with an adopter guest speaker and provide you with an overview of the adoption process and the children that we are currently finding families for. We run them on Microsoft TEAMS and they are a great place to start your adoption story. If you would like to book onto one of our events and find out for yourself just why they have been so successful, simply click this link www.adoptionnow.org.uk/events and book a date and time that is best for you! If you have any other questions about starting the adoption process then please visit www.adoptionnow.org.uk/form/contact or call our Information Line on 01204 336096.

In the weeks leading up to Christmas we have been excited to bring you very some special, festive episodes of our Adopter Stories podcast, in which we asked some of our families about their first Christmas as adoptive parents, those first precious moments as a family. In this fourth and final episode we had the privilege of sitting down to chat with Shauneen, finding out about their first Christmas as a family. If you are considering adoption and would like to enquire with Adoption Now, or ask any questions that you may have then please head over to our website which is www.adoptionnow.org.uk. Or, alternatively you can ring our information line on 01204 336096. Our Information line is open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Thank you very much for listening and we hope that you have a brilliant Christmas!

In the weeks leading up to Christmas we are excited to bring you very some special, festive episodes of our Adopter Stories podcast. We asked some of our families about their first Christmas as adoptive parents, those first precious moments as a family. In the third episode we had the privilege of sitting down to chat with Matthew, finding out about their first Christmas as a family. If you are considering adoption and would like to enquire with Adoption Now, or ask any questions that you may have then please head over to our website which is www.adoptionnow.org.uk. Or, alternatively you can ring our information line on 01204 336096. Our Information line is open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

In the weeks leading up to Christmas we are excited to bring you very some special, festive episodes of our Adopter Stories podcast. We asked some of our families about their first Christmas as adoptive parents, those first precious moments as a family. In this first episode we had the privilege of sitting down to chat with Tracy, finding out about their first Christmas as a family. If you are considering adoption and would like to enquire with Adoption Now, or ask any questions that you may have then please head over to our website which is www.adoptionnow.org.uk. Or, alternatively you can ring our information line on 01204 336096. Our Information line is open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

In the weeks leading up to Christmas we are excited to bring you some very special, festive episodes of our Adopter Stories by Adoption Now podcast! We asked some of our families about their first Christmas as adoptive parents, those first precious moments as a family. In this first episode we had the privilege of sitting down to chat with Terry, finding out about their first Christmas as a family. If you are considering adoption and would like to enquire with Adoption Now, or ask any questions that you may have then please head over to our website which is www.adoptionnow.org.uk. Or, alternatively you can ring our information line on 01204 336096. Our Information line is open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

National Adoption Week this October aims to highlight the importance of identity. Having some form of link to be connected to our pasts, that gives a sense of identity and emotional wellbeing, is something that is crucial for those who have been adopted as they mature into adulthood. One of the ways in which we help our children maintain some from of link to their past is by creating a Life Story book for them. Each local authority and agency has their own way of creating these pieces for the children, however they all have some record of the child's past by photographs, notes and such like about their birth family. They go into their present and they also look towards their future by including information about their adopted family. In this episode I sat down to chat with Kerry, a member of the team here at Adoption Now to find out more about Life Story books and the crucial role that they play in an adopted childs identity. Could you be part of a Life Story? If you're thinking about adoption then we could love to hear from you. You can contact us through our website www.adoptionnow.org.uk or you can all our information line on 01204 336096, and this line is open 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday. Find out more about National Adoption Week by visiting www.adoptionnow.org.uk/youcanadoptor by heading to www.youcanadopt.co.uk

The You Can Adopt National Adoption Week campaign this October aim's to highlight the importance of identity, to recognise the significance of identity for children who are adopted. Our guest in this episode is Nicole; she was adopted at 6 and in this episode she tells us her story and experience of adoption, sharing with us her memories of that time and her life growing up as an adoptee. If hearing Nicole's story has got you thinking about adoption then we would love to hear from you. You can call our information line which is open 9am -5pm Monday to Friday on 01204 336096. Or you can visit our website www.adoptionnow.org.uk, where you will find a host of resources such as a downloadable information pack, children's stories, adopter videos, podcasts and more. To find out more about the You Can Adopt campaign visit www.youcanadopt.co.uk

Regardless of whether you are thinking of adopting for a second time or if you have a birth child or children, one of the immediate things to consider if you are thinking adopting is the possible impact that your decision to adopt may have on your existing family. As parents the wellbeing of your child/ren is paramount so taking the time to explore their thoughts, finding out their feelings about your decision to adopt is important As we find out in this episode of adopter stories. Our guests are Nicky & Simon, once they were thinking about adopting they sat down with their birth children to discuss what they were thinking, what it could mean for their family and they also gave their children a veto if they weren't comfortable with the idea of adopting. As we will hear their children were fully behind their parents and as well as this we will be hearing about some of the challenges that were presented to them but we also find out about the joys too. If hearing their story has encouraged to you start thinking more about adoption, then we would love to hear from you. Whether you have a birth child already or not, if you are considering adoption we always recommend that everyone does as much research as possible, and we are only too happy to help you with this. On our website we have a free, downloadable Information Pack, Information about the adoption process, FAQ's and lost more, we of course also have the entire back catalogue of adopter stories by adoption now and this is all available at www.adoptionnow.org.uk . Want to talk to us? Our information line is open 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday and you can call us on 01204 336096, one of our highly experienced team will be more than happy to chat with you and answer any questions that you may have.