Week of action gets Rochdale talking about everything adoption

People in Rochdale are being invited to find out all about the process of modern adoption for National Adoption Week.

This year’s week of action aims to shine a light on real-life adoption stories with a rounded, honest, and inclusive portrayal of the journey – showcasing the highs and lows and champion all the voices involved in the process of adoption.

Adoption plays a big part in our society with 40,920 adoptions having taken place in England in the past 10 years.

Rochdale Borough Council’s local adoption agency, Adoption Now, is supporting the campaign in a bid to educate and inform people about adoption in today’s world and give a voice to all those whose stories are often less heard such as; adopted children, adopted adults, adoptive parents, birth parents, and the adoption and social care workforce that work tirelessly to get children into loving permanent homes. 

Councillor Rachel Massey, cabinet member for children’s service and education, said: “The stories being shared as part of National Adoption Week are so powerful and it shines a real light on the amazing difference adoption can make. Sadly numbers of children coming into care on rising and this means we need more foster carers and more adopters to provide children with forever homes. If you’ve been thinking about it then please take that first step and contact us, you’ll be doing something amazing for local children who really need you.”

National Adoption Week brings some real stories and the voices of those impacted by adoption to life with an emotive short film by illustrator and adoptive parent, Garry Parsons. The four-minute animated film features the life stories and real voices of six people that have had their lives changed by adoption – birth mother Anna*, single mum and adopter Sarah*, social worker Paula, 11-year-old Roman who was adopted age five, 19-year-old Tiegan who was adopted age four, and Sue who supported her daughter through the adoption process. 

Tiegan, age 19, who features in the short 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.” 

With 2,100 children currently waiting to be adopted, putting adoption in the spotlight is vital to help find safe and loving homes for children who really need them.

There will be lots of activity happening throughout National Adoption Week to provide insight, advice and support so to find out more about adoption in Rochdale visit www.adoptionnow.org.uk or call 01204 336096.