The team at ARC Adoption North East are committed to providing high quality support for all adopters, one way in which we do this is through a Buddy service.

ARC Adoption have a strong community of adopters who volunteer to be part of our Buddy service and provide peer to peer support to other adopters.

ARC Adoption’s Buddy service is managed by one of our senior social workers, who links prospective adopters or newly approved adopters, who are at an earlier stage of becoming a parent, with experienced adopters who are able to offer an empathetic listening ear and emotional support, during the assessment process; post approval; during the early stage of placement and up to the adoption order being made; or post adoption order when formal support networks may reduce. 

Buddies and adopters usually communicate weekly during pre-agreed times. The Buddy service does not take the place of an allocated adoption social worker but offers an additional way for adopters to share concerns and for them to receive valuable encouragement and advice from the perspective of someone who has been through the process and appreciates the sensitive nature of the journey adopters are on.

Of course, it is inevitable that adopters will have many questions during the various stages of the process and we always encourage adopters to speak to their adoption social worker about any questions or concerns they may have.

ARC Adoption Buddies receive professional training and guidance from the team at ARC Adoption and there are regular get togethers which take place bimonthly to discuss any issues or concerns that arise and identify any additional training needs.

Many adopters have felt huge benefits from having a Buddy to turn to and discuss their feelings about becoming parents, to raise concerns or questions about the process with someone who has been in the same situation and understands what they are going through, and the real challenges and rewards that lie ahead.

Would you like to know more about becoming a Buddy or accessing the Buddy service?

If you are at the start of your adoption journey and feel that you would benefit from peer to peer support or an experienced adopter who would be happy to share your experiences then the Buddy team would love to hear from you. Give us a call 0191 516 6466 or contact us via [email protected].