Family Matters

In this episode of Family Matters, James talks with Daf, the writer and creator of BBC’s Lost Boys & Fairies. Together they explore adoption and representation on screen, the inspiration behind Lost Boys & Fairies, and how stories like Doctor Who can help adoptees make sense of identity, belonging and loss. They also discuss the importance of authentic storytelling, community, and continued support for adopted people beyond childhood.

Mentions & recommendations:

Russell T Davies; This Is Us (Disney+); Lion (film); Trying (Apple TV+); and lots of love for Welsh and queer representation on mainstream platforms.

Content note: discussion of grief and bereavement, trauma, abandonment, raised voices, and mental health.

Guests:

Daf — playwright/screenwriter/composer/performer; creator of Lost Boys & Fairies.

James — adoptee and screenwriter.

Host:

Sarah (Adoption UK)

Links:

Lost Boys & Fairies https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m001wzp2/lost-boys-and-fairies

Adoption UK Connected https://www.adoptionuk.org/cyps-cymru

Stay in touch:

Subscribe, rate and review to help more families find the podcast. For support, community and training, visit Adoption UK https://www.adoptionuk.org/

Hashtags: #AdoptionUK #FamilyMattersPodcast #AdoptionRepresentation #LostBoysAndFairies #DafJames #AdopteeVoices #DoctorWho #WelshTV #ConnectedWales

In this powerful episode, Sarah speaks to Euan Preston and Gillian Elam from the Potato Group (Parents of Traumatised Adopted Teens Organisation) about their groundbreaking report Far, Far Beyond the Adoption Order.

They explore the lived experiences of hundreds of adoptive families parenting teens and young adults impacted by trauma — including alarming rates of violence, mental health crisis, and service failures.

Despite it all, what shines through is deep parental love, community strength, and a call for meaningful, trauma-informed change.

Read the report: thepotatogroup.org.uk/research

In this episode of Family Matters, host Sarah speaks with Simon Benn - adoptee, trainer, and host of the Thriving Adoptees podcast. They explore identity, healing, and how the stories we tell ourselves shape our lives. Simon shares personal insights from his own adoption experience, introduces his new book project for adoptive parents, and invites listeners to contribute their wisdom.

Want to take part? Submit your insight (50–250 words) by 31 August 2025: https://forms.gle/93u641bZf2DzXDGs6

Learn more about Simon and his podcast by visiting his website thrivingadoptees.com

In this episode of Family Matters we speak with Dr Julie Elliott, Clinical Director of Adoption UK’s Psychology and Therapy Hub (PATH), about what therapy really means for adoptive families, kinship carers, long-term foster carers, and adopted adults.

Julie shares insights from her decades of experience, busts common therapy myths, and explains why effective support isn’t about fixing people – it’s about understanding. They discuss PATH’s unique approach, which blends clinical expertise with lived experience, and how early support can make a real difference.

You'll also learn how to access PATH’s services and what to expect from the referral process.

📧 Contact PATH for a free 20-minute consultation:

Via our website https://www.adoptionuk.org/psychology-and-therapy-hub

or email [email protected]

Stay tuned for Part 2, where we’ll explore therapeutic support for adopted adults.

In this episode, Sarah talks to Penny and Philippa, two adoptive parents and Adoption UK staff, about what it means to parent from a distance. They share honest, moving stories about keeping relationships alive when a child can no longer live at home, the impact of trauma, and the practical and emotional strategies they’ve used to stay connected through it all.

Call our information and support line: 0300 666 0006

Visit our information and support line page for open hours and more information.

Adopted, adopter, and social worker Fiona Wells joins us to share her powerful personal journey and why she founded PATCH - Passionate Adopters Targeting Change with Hope.

We discuss rising crisis levels among adoptive families, the failures of current support systems, and Fiona’s call for trauma-informed, compassionate change. She introduces the Impact Pathway - a new tool for understanding and planning for children’s recovery from trauma.

🔗 Learn more at adoptionuk.org and ourpatch.org.uk

In this episode, Charlotte speaks to Paul Roberts about growing up adopted, his late diagnoses of dyslexia and ADHD, and the inspiration behind his workbook for children going through the adoption process. Paul reflects on the importance of being able to tell your own story, the challenges of accessing birth records, and why adult adoptees need more support.

Paul Roberts BA (Hons) PGCE QTS | LinkedIn

Finding My Rainbow Family - Pauls own adoption story

Purchasing Finding My Rainbow Family - an activity book for children going through the

adoption process.

Rainbow Books Collective - Facebook

Rainbow Books Collective - LinkedIn

Rainbow Books Collective - X (Formally Twitter)

In this episode, Emma talks to Sarah Fry and Helen Willis from the Belay Foundation about disability benefits – what they are, who’s eligible, and why so many families miss out.

They also share practical advice on filling in the forms, how to evidence what daily life really looks like, and what support is available to help you through the process.

You can find out more about the Belay Foundation and access their free resources at belayfoundation.org.uk

At the age of 8 Mahesha was sent from her home in Sri Lanka to France, where she was adopted by an aunt. In this moving interview, she describes being uprooted from everything she knew and the lifelong consequences.

In our latest podcast episode we take a dip in the sea at Penarth with adoptive parent Penny.

She explains why she had to get serious about self care and what it is about cold water swimming that calms her nervous system and allows her to be a better parent.