Find out more about adoption at Stroud Farmers' Market (From Stroud News and Journal)

Find out more about adoption at Stroud Farmers' Market

10:30am Tuesday 3rd November 2009

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Over the last 18 months, 25 children have been adopted in Gloucestershire, but many children are still left waiting for homes. Gloucestershire County Council is again appealing for people in the county from all walks of life willing to adopt children of all ages.

Their call coincides with the launch of National Adoption Week (9-15 November) – a nationwide campaign organised by the British Association for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF). The campaign aims to help find families for up to 4,000 children throughout the UK waiting for loving and permanent homes.

There are a whole variety of reasons why some children can’t stay with their birth families and the council’s aim is to provide these children with the best possible life chances and that means offering the opportunity to adopt to the widest range of people.

‘David and Lisa’* from the Forest of Dean adopted their son ‘Luke’* four years ago when he was seven. David and Lisa are both in their 40s.

“We were very well matched with Luke. His profile said he wanted a new Mummy and Daddy, a dog and parents who, like him, enjoyed the outdoors. Luckily we have been able to provide him with everything he asked for and he seems to be enjoying life. We have also had a great deal of support from the adoption team.

“We consider ourselves extremely lucky to have found Luke – he has enriched our lives and is the best son we could have ever hoped for.”

Cllr Paul McLain, Cabinet member for children and young people, said: “Our aim for all children is to give them the best possible life chances, which means offering the opportunity to the widest possible range of people. More than nine out of 10 people who go through the assessment process are approved to adopt and we need people from across the community to come forward. We particularly need families who would welcome older children and brothers and sisters. We are also appealing for people from the Black & Minority Ethnic community to consider adoption so that children can be brought up within their own cultural background and origin.”

There is no upper age limit to adopt and Gloucestershire County Council is keen to hear from married and unmarried couples, single people, lesbian and gay couples and individuals, those who have their own children, homeowners or those renting property.

Anyone wishing to find out more about adoption can contact Gloucestershire County Council’s Adoption Team on 01242 532597 or come and meet us out and about around the county: 〈    Thursday 5th November – Tesco, Lydney 10.30am-4pm 〈    Friday 6th November – Morrisons, Cheltenham 10am-4pm 〈    Saturday 7th November – Farmer’s Market, Stroud 8am-2pm 〈    Friday 13th November – Waitrose, Cirencester 10.30am-5pm 〈    Saturday 14th November – Tesco, Dursley 10.30am-4pm 〈    Friday 20th November – Sainsbury’s, Gloucester Quays 10am-5pm 〈    Saturday 21st November – Morrisons, Tewkesbury 10.30am-4pm * All names have been changed.

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