“Love is thicker than blood”
The above words actually come from the singer Sinitta, when describing her own journey marked by hope, disappointment, challenge, profound love, and her own lifelong process of starting her own family and thinking about adoption. Sinitta experienced struggles with IVF and with surrogates, before she adopted a brother and sister in 2007. She has been a vocal advocate for adoption ever since. Her story is so compelling, but some elements of it are surprisingly common.
Adoption is a story of children of all ages, who need a secure, loving home. It is also the story of dedicated adoptive parents from all walks of life – single people, rich and poor, same-sex couples, and people of different backgrounds and ethnicities – proving every day that a family is defined not by biology, but by connection, commitment, and unconditional caring.
National Adoption Week offers a chance for us to celebrate the compassion and courage shown by everyone involved. To celebrate the resilience of the children who have navigated early life adversity; the strength and openness of birth families and the extraordinary love of adopters, who choose to open their hearts and homes.
A sad truth
Unfortunately, when thinking about adoption it is worth remembering that an increasing number of children (more than 2,000 currently) are waiting for their forever families. Older children, sibling groups, and children with complex needs often wait the longest. Adoption may or may not be for you, but for those who might be interested, help is at hand.
An array of support available in the UK
Across the UK, dedicated adoption agencies and support charities offer everything from therapeutic parenting courses and peer support groups to education assistance and specialist counselling for the whole family. This ‘village’ of support – social workers, therapists and other adopters – is crucial to helping families not just survive but truly thrive.
If you are considering adoption or need support, please visit the wonderful ‘You Can Adopt’ online hub or local adoption agencies in your area. Help and information are always available.
Treacle.me includes links to hundreds of local and national groups offering free support and advice about adoption and other family issues, finances, mental health and so on, many of which you simply won’t be aware of. Treacle.me is free to use and never asks for your data or anything about you.
I hope this helps in some small way to get us all talking more about adoption. Take care out there!
Helen