0121 303 7575

Mon-Fri, 8.45am-4.15pm

0121 303 7575

Mon-Fri, 8.45am-4.15pm

family out in a park

National Adoption Week

The Journey Continues to Find Adoptive Families Across the Country.

To mark the theme of ‘The Journey’ a new short film, set onboard a train, follows the stories of three adoptive families on their travels, reflecting on the ups, downs and detours of their lifelong journey.

The campaign raises awareness of modern adoption and showcases the diversity of adoptive families today, showing that the journey to a family is not always a traditional one.

Just like adoption, trains connect people to one another and act as a fitting metaphor for the adoption journey – one that is full of adventure, chaos, and love. Each family explores how, just like all families, adoptive families come in all shapes and sizes and go through ups, downs and detours during their lifelong journey – but ultimately the experience has been positive and definitely worthwhile.

The films feature a diverse range of parents and children, including Andrew, a former social worker and loving adoptive father to his adult daughter Carla; Rachel, an adopter, and her supportive social worker Becky; and Angela, a single adopter, and her adult daughter Hazel.

The campaign will show adopters that they are not alone by highlighting the people who play a significant role in each family’s lifelong journey and makes each experience unique – from foster carers and social workers to birth families and the adoption community.

Statistics

New data shows there has been a 22 per cent increase in the number of children with a plan for adoption not yet matched with an adoptive family in England in 2023-4, compared to the previous year.
  • 65 %

    of Brits say there's no such thing as a 'normal' family

  • 48 %

    of Brits say they have a 'chosen family'

  • 36 %

    of Adopters live with wider family members

  • 25 %

    of Adopters live in rented accommodation

  • 41 %

    of Adopters live in a two bedroom home

  • 56 %

    agree nobody ever feels truly ready to adopt

3 adults sat around a 4 person seating area on a train, a little girl is sat on her mothers lap, both wearing yellow.

A Welcome Home

This National Adoption Week, an immersive pop-up kitchen installation – A Welcome Home – is unveiled this week in London and Leeds, co-created by real adoptive families from across the country.

Prue Leith, adoptive mother and grandmother to adopted children, said: “When I adopted my daughter, it was in the kitchen that we bonded most, over meals, mess and everyday life. Now she’s adopted children of her own – so I’m really pleased to have been a part of bringing ‘A Welcome Home’ to life. It’s about showing that – just like any kind of parenting – adoption is messy, joyful, challenging, real, and rewarding beyond measure. Adoption gives a child a place at the table, and that’s where love truly grows.”

The kitchen was chosen as the heart of the campaign because it’s where many adoptive families say they connect with their children most deeply. It’s a space filled with meaningful moments – with nearly a third of parents (29 per cent) saying their best memories of bonding with their child happened there, and 22 per cent sharing that cooking and sharing meals helped them build connection.

National Adoption Campaigns