Residents across North Lincolnshire are being encouraged to climb onboard and start their adoption journey.
This National Adoption Week, taking place from 21 to 27 October, Family Adoption Links North Lincolnshire has joined forces with You Can Adopt, to spread the word about its train-themed campaign and inspire more people to adopt and change a child’s life.
Just like a train ride, adoption connects people to one another, in a journey full of adventure, chaos, and most of all, love.
An adoption briefing session, taking place in Scunthorpe on Saturday 2 November from 10am, is the perfect chance to find out more about the journey and chat to North Lincolnshire’s adoption team – rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted.
To book your place please call 01724 297024 or email: adoption@northlincs.gov.uk.
Cllr Julie Reed, cabinet member for independent families – children, at North Lincolnshire Council, said:
“We’re looking for adopters for babies and children of different ages across North Lincolnshire. Having adopted two children myself, I know first-hand the life-changing impact adopting a child can have. Like on every train journey there can be a few bumps on the track, but I know, like me, our adopters wouldn’t change their family for the world.
“If you’d like to know more, I would urge you to take that first step and book on to November’s briefing session or give us a call and speak to our friendly team any time. They are here to support you at every stage of your journey.”
The campaign raises awareness of modern adoption and showcases the diversity of adoptive families today, showing that the journey to a family is not always a traditional one.
It comes as new survey data highlights that 87 per cent of respondents feel it’s important to teach children that families come in all shapes and sizes and that this promotes acceptance of children from non-traditional family units.
John Harris, Head of Family Adoption Links, which covers North Lincolnshire, said: “It’s crucial that we encourage as many people to come forward and adopt as possible. That’s why we’re taking part in National Adoption Week to raise the profile of modern adoption. We hope to underline that adoptive families are not alone and that they have a community of support around them.”
To mark the theme of ‘The Journey’, a new short film, set onboard a train, follows the stories of three adoptive families on their travels, reflecting on the ups, downs and detours of their lifelong journey.
Rachel, who features in the film alongside her two-year-old adopted daughter Winnie, father Daniel and social worker Becky, said: “You have an idea in your head of what family looks like, and for us it’s been different, but even more wonderful in different ways. For me, it’s really important that Winnie has a sense of herself and her identity – that she understands that not only do all families look different, but she has more than one family, and that’s OK.”
In support of the campaign, train companies across the country are encouraging more people to start their own adoption journey. From offering free tickets for adoptive families, to changing digital signage at train stations, rail companies are rallying behind the cause in support of everybody who is part of an adoptive family or considering embarking on their own adoption journey.
National Adoption Week has also seen the publication of the new ‘Adopter Journey Standards’. The standards act as guidance and highlight what adopters can expect from their agency and social worker through the adoption journey, from providing prospective adopters with preparation training and resources, to facilitating Family Network Days to help the wider family reflect on how they will be able to support adopters and their adopted children.
To find out more about adoption or starting your adoption journey, visit the Family Adoption Links website.
