Adopter Stories by Adoption Now

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.