North East and Cumbria adoption agencies support a national campaign to find families for children waiting

ARC Adoption is proud to join other adoption agencies in the North East and Cumbria, to appeal for new families to come forward for children in need of adoption in the region.

A new You Can Adopt campaign that celebrates different generations of adopted people – from baby boomers to Gen Z – shows how adoption has changed through the decades and encourages potential adopters to come forward to change the lives of children who are still waiting for their forever home. 

To mark the launch of National Adoption Week, a powerful set of portraits captured by royal, fashion and portrait photographer Philip Sinden - who was adopted himself in the 1970s - have been released. 

The portraits have been released alongside a new short film captured during the photoshoot and hears firsthand the group’s different experiences – challenging misconceptions about what adoption looks like today.

Through these powerful stories of adopted people across age groups, this National Adoption Week, adoption agencies across the country have joined together to shine a spotlight 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. Whilst recognising the challenges they have faced along the way, the new campaign brings to life the transformational power of a permanent family home. 

There is still a huge need for more people to come forward to adopt. In the North East and Cumbria region there are currently 86 children waiting with a plan of adoption, who have not yet been linked to a potential family. In particular, there is a high need for adopters to come forward for brother and sister groups, children aged four and over, and children with additional needs; all of which wait 7 months longer than other children. 

Terry Fitzpatrick OBE, Director at ARC Adoption NE said: 

“We are proud to be part of this National Adoption Week campaign which shows how adoption has positively impacted upon so many people’s lives, as well as how it has changed for the better over the years. At ARC Adoption we are privileged to have been involved in finding loving, supportive and permanent families for many children, where adoption is not the secret it once was.

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We are also fortunate to be working particularly closely with our fellow adoption agencies in the North East and Cumbria this week, to raise awareness of adoption and early permanence (another impactful route to a safe and stable home for children). Adopting can be challenging but truly life-changing for children, so we want people to know that a wide range of ongoing support is available from our team to help them. We would suggest that anyone interested should get in touch with us for an informal chat or come along to one of our online information sessions.”

You can also hear more from Terry on SUN FM throughout National Adoption Week, in conversation with presenter Matt Rogan talking about this years campaign and the need for adopters in our region.  You can listen to a copy of the interview below: 

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If you would like to talk to someone about adopting, click here to complete our enquiry form and someone from our friendly team will give you a call. You can also sign up to our next online information event here. To find out more about National Adoption Week visit www.youcanadopt.co.uk.