Published Wednesday 20 October 2021 at 12:32
People in Blackburn are being invited to find out all about the process of modern adoption during National Adoption Week.
This year it takes place from Monday 18 to 24 October and aims to shine a light on real-life adoption stories and champion all the voices involved in the process of adoption.
With 40,920 adoptions having taken place in England in the past 10 years, adoption plays a big part in our society.
Local adoption agency, Adoption Now, is supporting the campaign in a bid to educate and inform people about adoption in today’s world.
Karen Barrick, Head of Adoption Now, said:
It is fantastic that we can dedicate this important week to everyone who is impacted by adoption and give them a platform to share their moving stories. We hope that these real-life stories will give a great insight into what adoption means to our children and their families and get everyone talking about what a challenging but rewarding and vitally important thing it is for our society.
National Adoption Week brings the voices of those impacted by adoption to life with an emotive short film by illustrator and adoptive parent, Garry Parsons.
Tiegan, age 19, who features in the film said:
Being adopted has been an incredibly positive experience for me. I love my adoptive mums and I have good relationships with many birth relatives, but it is important people don’t look at adoption with rose tinted glasses. Growing up would have been much easier for me if people had a better understanding of adoption and how this shaped me as a person.
There are currently 2,100 children waiting to be adopted.
Executive Member for Children’s, Young People & Education Julie Gunn said:
National Adoption Week is so important; it gives a voice to those whose stories are often less heard. It not only puts the topic of adoption in the spotlight but also highlights the brilliant work of the adoption and social care workforce that work tirelessly to get children into safe and loving homes.
To find out more about adoption visit www.adoptionnow.org.uk or call 01204 336096.