Thousands of children in the UK need help, after a bad start in life
Whether you’re one of the many people struggling with fertility issues, you’re from a same-sex partnership, you worry about the effect of a growing population on the planet or you simply want to provide a fresh start for a child, adoption can be one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever do. Of course, it isn’t without its challenges – the process to adopt can be long, intrusive and stressful, and that’s before you are even paired with a child. And bringing a child home isn’t necessarily a fairy-tale ending – it can take some children a long time to settle. It’s estimated that there are currently 6,000 children in the UK in need of a family, but that only around 3,500 of those will find a home.
To mark National Adoption Week, we speak to a woman who adopted a group of siblings last year.
together in the park, their beautiful eyes staring up at the camera, I knew I wanted to give them a loving home. Despite their rocky start in life, they were still happy, and hopeful for their futures.
In February 2022, we met them for the first time at a nearby community centre with their foster carers. Stu and I were so nervous as we realised how desperately we wanted the children to like us. The eldest was cautious, standing behind a chair, while his brother chatted away and their sister cheekily unpacked the contents of her foster mum’s handbag, oblivious to the world around her. After more meet-ups, we got to know each other, so by the time they came to live with us in May 2022, we quickly felt like a family. But while they spent their first night sleeping soundly, me and Stu lay awake all night. ‘Did you hear that?’ I whispered, worrying one of them had woken up.
Next morning, Stu crept downstairs and made us all bacon sandwiches. All five of us snuggled in our bed, eating and watching Paddington Bear on TV. ‘Is this our home now?’ the eldest asked. ‘Yes,’ I beamed. That Mother’s Day, in March 2023, the children gave me handmade cards and a bracelet with three feathers, one representing each of them. I’d never felt so happy. But day-to-day life changed so much, and some days were a struggle. The financial responsibility is also huge, but we made a budget before we made the decision to adopt.
Now, the children call us Mummy and Daddy, and we tell each other ‘I love you’ often.
