National Adoption Week shows how adoption can make a real difference to children's lives
Last updated 11/11/2008 8:53:31 AM
adoption can make a real difference
It's about making a real difference to a child's life and providing a safe, supportive and loving upbringing to someone who cannot, for whatever reason, return home.
Adoption can also bring great rewards as National Adoption Week 2008 highlights.
The initiative this week not only raises awareness of adoption but also seeks to give more information to people thinking of adopting, with a view to starting the process.
Adoption is a lifelong commitment and while it may present some significant challenges, it can transform the lives of thousands of children currently in care and waiting for a home.
Adoptive parents, as the legal guardians, take on all the legal rights and responsibilities of the child. Many people have misconceptions about who can adopt and one of the aims of National Adoption Week is to break those stereotypes and to show that people from all walks of life can adopt.
Applications are welcomed from those over 21 who can provide a permanent, stable and caring home, irrespective of marital or employment status, race, religion or sexuality.
Leading adoption support charity After Adoption has a family finding service, Families that Last - one of the many agencies prospective parents can go through to adopt a child.
To quote just one adoptive parent who thanked the organisation - "Words cannot describe how happy you have made me," she said.
There are other ways to get involved during National Adoption Week to help other than considering adoption. After Adoption, is encouraging people to get involved in its awareness raising and fundraising event – After Adoption's Big Breakfast.
It's encouraging supporters to host their own breakfast whether at home, work or school and ask guests for donations.
For more information on this event go to www.afteradoption.org.uk/bigbreakfastv and for more background on its service go to Optimistworld- After Adoption and www.baaf.org.uk