Oxfordshire resident stars in National Adoption Week campaign
A West Oxfordshire resident is one of the stars in this year’s National Adoption Week (21 - 27 October) campaign, designed to increase understanding of what modern adoption and adoptive family life is like.
The campaign, supported by Adopt Thames Valley – the regional adoption agency hosted by Oxfordshire County Council – shares the experiences of adopted adults and adopters and highlights the importance of support from social workers, wider family members and other adopters.
Rachel features in the campaign video aboard a train (see photo), recalling the twists and turns on her journey to adopt two year old Winnie.
Councillor John Howson, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Young People’s Services, explains: “The train in the campaign video symbolises movement, the journey that anyone adopting or being adopted goes through.
“There is the slow start when everyone feels nervous and uncertain, moving to maximum speed when the bond and trust of the adopted family has been established. Finally the destination, when the young person reaches adulthood and is ready to step outside and live independently.”
After initially struggling with fertility, Rachel and her husband decided not to opt for IVF (in vitro fertilisation) but to instead embark on adoption. Rachel’s mum was a social worker, so adoption was always on their radar, and felt like the perfect next step to becoming parents.
Rachel and her husband received support from Oxfordshire County Council’s social workers throughout their journey to adopt Winnie.
Maintaining connections with a birth family and their relatives is an important part of modern adoption, and Winnie has the opportunity to meet regularly with one of her grandparents.
Rachel said: “For me, it’s really important that Winnie has a sense of herself and her identity – that she understands that not only do all families look different, but she has more than one family, and that’s OK. We just know we were always meant to be together.”
The campaign highlights that just like all families, adoptive families come in all shapes and sizes and go through ups, downs and detours. Many different people will be part of someone’s lifelong adoption, including birth families, foster carers, social workers, friends old and new, and family members. Some people are present throughout, others for a smaller part – but all of them form part of the adoption journey, symbolled by the campaign’s train video.
Councillor John Howson said: “While welcoming all to apply, we would particularly like to hear from potential adoptive parents who can consider adopting older children, sibling groups and those with complex health needs or a disability.
“We would also love to hear from more potential parents from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, as these children traditionally wait longer to be matched with a new adoptive family.”
Residents who want to find out more about becoming an adopter can call 0800 731 0171 for an initial, no obligation conversation or visit Adopt Thames Valley – the regional adoption agency hosted by Oxfordshire County Council.