This National Adoption Week (16-22 October), the National Adoption Service for Wales (NAS) is continuing its mission to get more people to consider adoption, as sibling groups, children with additional needs, and older children across Wales still wait to find their 鈥榝orever home鈥�.
Working to challenge misconceptions around adoption, NAS is launching a series of informative videos to help people who believe they can鈥檛 adopt to consider enquiring.
This National Adoption Week, NAS hopes to change the general public鈥檚 perceptions through myth-busting outdated ideas and sharing first-hand experiences.
Adopters from across Wales have become involved in the campaign, featuring in videos and writing blogs to inform others. Adoptive parents of siblings from South East Wales Adoption Service (SEWAS) explains why they got involved:
鈥樷�橫y partner and I have always said that we would trust the adoption process. We wouldn鈥檛 choose our children, but they would choose us. 7 years ago we accepted the first sibling match SEWAS proposed to us. Our family is more complete now than it ever has been - we wouldn鈥檛 have it any other way! Thank you SEWAS for helping us find our missing pieces.鈥欌��
In addition to sharing adoption stories, the National Adoption Service for Wales has been increasing knowledge about adoption with communities across the UK, through their award-winning podcast, Truth Be Told: Adoption Stories.
The two series of the bilingual podcast, which featured stories from seven adoptive families alongside a special episode, produced and hosted by adopted young people, was praised for its candid look at adoption.
Tasha, a teacher who adopted two siblings with additional learning needs through Adoption Mid and West Wales, and took part in series one of the podcast, explained:
鈥淲hen I sent my email of interest [for adoption], my family were telling me that 鈥榯hey鈥� wouldn鈥檛 want me because I鈥檓 single, I鈥檝e got a full-time job, I鈥檝e got a dog. I thought 鈥榃hy wouldn鈥檛 they want me?鈥�
鈥淚 went in very open-minded. I obviously had to consider that my family live 2 陆 hours away, however, I was aware that a lot of older children (school age upwards) are often waiting the longest鈥�.聽
鈥淢y social worker was great, and I鈥檇 been in touch with the foster family. So, when I brought them home, I didn鈥檛 abandon the routine they鈥檇 built up at their foster carer鈥檚 house. I even kept a chocolate milkshake for before bed as that鈥檚 what their foster carers did鈥�.
鈥淢y daughter was quite sensitive to some things, and we worked on them with her over time. Noticing that she was starting to let go of these triggers was a sign to me, that she was going in the right direction.鈥�
Every corner of Wales is getting involved
Regional activity across Wales will take place during National Adoption Week and following weeks.
On Wednesday 18 October, the North Wales Adoption Service will complete their 402-mile walk of the North Wales Coastal Path, which has been taking place over the past year, with a special event at Wrexham AFC with the mayor.
Western Bay Adoption Service is also hosting a walk, with each participant walking in pairs or groups, to represent the fact that sibling groups are waiting.聽
Vale, Valleys and Cardiff Adoption Service, and Adoption Mid and West Wales will be hosting information evenings and sharing myth-busting content to help prospective adoptive parents learn more about the adoption process.
South-East Wales Adoption is sharing informative social media content, while St David鈥檚 Adoption Service will be showcasing a series of short films, featuring adopters and an adopted person.
Alongside all of this adoption professionals from across Wales will come together to celebrate the positive messages and work that has been taking place to improve services since NAS came into existence.
Suzanne Griffiths, Director of the National Adoption Service for Wales and Foster Wales said:
鈥淲e hope that during this year鈥檚 National Adoption Week, people thinking about adopting across Wales will find the information being shared helpful and inspiring. We aim to answer many of the questions they might have about adopting a sibling group, children with more complex needs or an older child. Our services are always happy to provide more information.鈥�
Find out more adoption in Wales: