In this episode, we’re honoured to share the powerful and deeply personal story of Kay, a birth parent.

It’s a perspective we don’t often hear, but one that is vital in helping us all understand the wider picture of adoption — emotionally, practically and personally.

Joining Kay in this episode is Kayleigh, our guest interviewer and Adoption Now Social Worker, who brings warmth, empathy and experience to this thoughtful and honest conversation.

Together, they explore the circumstances surrounding Kay’s decision, the emotions that followed, and how she reflects on her journey today — including thoughts on contact, identity and the lasting impact of that decision.

Content note: This episode includes open discussion around grief, loss and the realities of placing a child for adoption. Please take care while listening.

Whether you're an adopter, prospective adopter, professional, or someone seeking a wider understanding of adoption — this is a story that will stay with you.

If this episode has moved you or prompted questions, we’d love to hear from you. You can connect with us on social media or visit our website at www.adoptionnow.org.uk for more resources and information.

And if you’re considering adoption or just beginning to explore what it could mean for you, our team is here to support you every step of the way. Call our Information Line on 01204 336096 — we’re here Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

We know that adoption is a lifelong journey, and while every story is unique, there’s huge power in connecting with someone who’s walked a similar path.

That’s where our mentors come in, so in this episode we’re shining a light on a fantastic part of our support offer that many adopters have found invaluable: our Adopter Mentor Service -—experienced adopters who are trained to offer one-to-one peer support to others.

For this episode, I’m joined by members of our amazing social work team who help run the service. They’ll be sharing how it works, what kind of support is offered, and how it’s making a real difference for adoptive families. Whether you're early in your journey or years down the line, this service could be the lifeline you didn’t know you needed.

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 will be finding out about our latest campaign You’re More Ready Than You Think, we’ll find out the latest, breaking news with regards to our Information Events and as usual I will 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.

Mentioned links:

You're More Ready Than You Think

Podcast: https://www.adoptionnow.org.uk/youre-more-ready-than-you-think-podcast

Blog: https://www.adoptionnow.org.uk/you-are-more-ready-than-you-think

Information Event Booking!

https://www.adoptionnow.org.uk/events

Must Hear Episode:

https://www.adoptionnow.org.uk/i-became-a-parent-when

f this episode has given you the nudge to explore adoption further, visit our website www.adoptionnow.org.uk where you ill be able to download our Information Pack, or give our Information Line a call on 01204 336096

Adoption is one of the most rewarding journeys a person or family can take — but across the UK, and especially in our local authority areas, fewer people are coming forward to adopt.

Why? We believe that it is often, it’s down to outdated beliefs, myths, or people ruling themselves out before they’ve even made an enquiry.

Our latest campaign, “You’re more ready than you think!”, aims to challenge those assumptions and show that adopters come from all walks of life — whether you're single, renting, LGBTQ+, or living with a health condition. What matters most is your ability to offer love, stability and care.

In this episode, we speak to two adopters, Linzi and Dan, who share how they realised they were ready — and what helped them take that first step.

If you’re an adopter, when did you feel ready? When did you know adoption was the right path for you? We’d love to hear your story — drop us a comment or send us a message on social media. Your experience could be just the encouragement someone else needs to take that first step.

And if this episode has given you the nudge to explore adoption further, visit our website www.adoptionnow.org.uk where you ill be able to download our Information Pack, or give our Information Line a call on 01204 336096 — our friendly team is always here to help.

In this episode we find out about the recent North West Adoption Day, Bolton’s Best Nominations, the new milestone this podcast has hit, the latest news on our roadshows and we round up with and short interview with Sophie, a member of our recruitment team here at adoption now and a recommended episode from the adopter stories by adoption now vault!

Most recent episode with Matthew - https://www.adoptionnow.org.uk/from-hope-to-home

Recommended Episode -

https://www.adoptionnow.org.uk/you-are-not-alone

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.

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…