Local Councils back LGBT Adoption & Fostering Week
1 million LGBT people in the UK may have the potential to adopt or foster a child. There is a critical shortage of new parents, and LGBT people are often in an ideal position to offer a stable, loving home to a child or children that need one.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are being urged to consider adoption and fostering, ahead of the second annual LGBT Adoption and Fostering Week, which runs from 4th to 10th March 2013.
LGBT Adoption and Fostering Week is a series of events around the country aimed to educate prospective parents and carers about the processes involved and to let them hear from others in their area who have adopted or fostered children themselves. It is organised by New Family Social, the charity run by LGBT adopters and foster carers for families and families-to-be.
Action for Children is the week’s main sponsor. The charity’s Director of Public Policy, Helen Donohoe, says: “From 140 years of working with the UK’s most vulnerable children, we know how important it is to find the best possible placement for each and every child in care – and we know that LGBT people often come to adoption or fostering as the first choice for expanding their family, bringing love, real enthusiasm and resourcefulness.
“Throughout LGBT Adoption and Fostering Week, our friendly approachable staff will be on hand at events across the UK to answer questions and help potential parents take the first steps towards providing one of the thousands of children desperately in need with a stable, loving home.”
Local events are being held throughout the Bristol & Wiltshire areas, with a Fostering Information Session being held at the Lyndhurst Centre in Swindon on Tuesday 5th March from 6pm.
On Thursday 7th March from 6.30pm, Bristol City Council & North Somerset Council join forces to co-host an information evening on adoption and fostering for prospective LGBT carers at The Pavillion on Bristol Harbourside.
Meanwhile, back in Swindon, on Friday 8th March – again at the Lyndhurst Centre, Swindon Borough Council are holding another Adoption Information Session.
Andy Leary-May, Director of New Family Social, says: “Some people are still put off by fears that they won’t be welcomed by agencies, but things are changing. In our group we have huge and diverse range of families, including plenty of parents who are single, or in their fifties. It’s clear to see how well our children are doing, and what a positive and rewarding choice fostering and adoption can be”.
For information visit lgbtadoptfosterweek.org.uk.
