Support groups, activities and family events

ARC Adoption hosts regular support groups, events and days out for our adoptive families, held at various locations around the North East.

Family Fun Days

We arrange regular family days in child friendly environments where the whole family can come along, relax and have fun with others who have adoption in common. These are usually organised during school holidays and have taken place in parks, farms, beaches and more, where the children can play and join in activities. It’s also an opportunity for parents to meet up and chat with other adopters and our team.

“Thanks again to ARC for the wonderful day out at the farm this half term. There was so much to do. It was well organised as usual. We loved watching Tom* making new friends . We loved all of it. Tom* even enjoyed the cuddle with the killer bunny! Maybe not quite a killer but he had a nice bruise to remind him not to cuddle too tight :)”

Adopter who attended our Halloween Farm Visit in 2021

The ARC Adoption team greatly enjoys the opportunity to get families and children together, and can see first-hand the benefit it provides to them. Often it is this type of informal support that enables our team to build such good relationships with our families, which makes them feel more comfortable in getting in touch for a more support should the need arise.

Children and Young People's Group 

We host a group for adopted children and young people at ARC, where they can come together in a safe space for play, activities and sensitive discussion around adoption with others who have it in common. We hold these sessions on a weekend to avoid school so as many children can come along as possible. Read more about it in this article. 

Walk and Talk 

This group allows parents to get together along with babies and toddlers for a walk and talk (and maybe a piece of cake), with the aim of benefitting mental well-being and providing informal emotional support. We choose different parks around the North East region for meeting, to make this accessible to as many families as possible.

Coffee Mornings

We host a monthly coffee morning for our adopters, hosted by our support team providing an informal opportunity to pop by for a chat and advice – or just to share a cuppa. Babies, toddlers and children are also welcome too.

Waiting Adopters Group

We understand that the period between being approved as an adopter and being matched with a a child or children can be an anxious and sometimes frustrating time. With that, we decided to organise a waiting adopters group where approved adopters can come together to expand their learning on different useful topics, as well as have the opportunity to check in with their peers and our team in an informal setting. 

The Special Lioness - groups for children with additional needs or disabilities

The Special Lioness is a fantastic charitable organisation which supports families with children with additional needs and disabilities, and they opened a centre in Washington with a jungle themed sensory room (The Roaring Rainforest) for children with profound, multiple or severe learning difficulties.

They are running a 'Special Bonds' stay and play group within the Roaring Rainforest specifically for children who have been adopted or are in foster care. These sessions are run by trustee Sarah, who adopted her son who has complex disabilities and needs. Sarah can advise and support during the sessions as well as help to create a wonderful network of friendships. 

Head to the Special Lioness website to see upcoming events and sessions: https://www.thespeciallioness.com/

You are welcome to chat to us about support we deliver to adoptive families at ARC or other forms of support that we would recommend, please just reach out to us via [email protected]

*Name changed to protect identity