National week of action is shining a spotlight on adoption

National Adoption Week takes place from the 16th until the 22nd of October this year.

This year’s theme is focused around celebrating different generations of adopted people.

Northwest Regional Adoption Agency, Adoption Now is celebrating the life stories of different generations of adopted people to encourage potential adopters to come forward to change the lives of children who are still waiting for their forever home.

The campaign showcases a powerful set of portraits captured by royal, fashion and portrait photographer Philip Sinden – who was adopted himself in the 1970s. The portraits show striking imagery of eight different people who were adopted between the 1960s-2010s.

Through these powerful stories of adopted people across age groups, the week aims to highlight the positive impact adoption has had on the individuals’ lives, and the strides made in the sector to put children and their sense of identity at the heart of the adoption journey.

Councillor Julie Gunn, Blackburn with Darwen Council’s Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education, said:

Adoption has changed lots over the years, National Adoption Week aims to highlight the positive impact adoption has had on the individuals’ lives and the transformational power of a permanent family home. There is still a huge need for more people to come forward to adopt in BwD and we hope that more children can find their forever home.

The majority of children waiting for adoption (60%) come from specific groups repeatedly facing the longest delays in finding a home.
These groups include children aged five or over, children with additional and/or complex needs, brother and sister groups, and those from an Ethnic Minority background. Children from these groups wait an average of 7 months longer than other children.

For more about adoption in Blackburn with Darwen visit www.adoptionnow.org.uk or contact Adoption Now on 01204 336096.