New Year, new family? Adoption could help your family grow in 2024

Adoption Lancashire and Blackpool help children of all ages find loving families. This year, they are especially in need of people who could adopt very young children, with 85% of the children ready for adoption aged under 4, and almost half aged under two.

The #NewYearNewFamily campaign is being launched for the second year running to offer support and advice to anyone thinking of starting or growing their family through adoption.

Anyone who would love to adopt but has concerns about whether they can take on the costs of expanding their family are encourage to talk to our adoption team.

You can call our friendly team on 0300 123 6727 or visit www.adoptionlancashireblackpool.org.uk

As part of the new campaign, Adoption Lancashire & Blackpool will be hoping to bust some of the common myths around adoption, which can often be barriers to people coming forward.

They'll be sharing these on social media across the month of January, so follow Adoption Lancashire and Blackpool on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Two of our adopters, Shelly and Isla, knew that the time was right to expand their family after being together for 10 years. They adopted two little boys.

They said: "When the boys came to us it felt like it was always destined for them to be with us.

"We’ve got an amazing family unit and they’ve enriched not only our lives but all of our extended families’ lives as well.

"We’d always spoken about wanting to have a family, but we were waiting for the right time. After waiting for the “right time” we realised that there was no such thing. After deciding to start looking into ways to expand our family we first looked into IVF and other fertility methods but after doing the research into those we decided that adoption would be the best route for us. 

"Right now they’re at such a cool age where they play together and have little chats. For us we wanted a sibling group as we thought it would be beneficial for the boys to have someone else alongside them who had the shared experience as they grew up."

 Find out more by going to Shelly and Isla's story - Adoption Lancashire and Blackpool (adoptionlancashireblackpool.org.uk)

County Councillor Cosima Towneley, Lancashire County Council's cabinet member for Children and Families said: "If you have been thinking about adoption then there has never been a better time to make that enquiry.

"Every age range brings its own rewards and challenges. We would love to find homes for the young children, toddlers and babies currently in our care.

"Adoptive parents come from all walks of life, are all ages, can be single or in a variety of loving relationships. 

"Some have children of their own and want to extend a warm, loving and stable home to a child or sibling group whilst for others this is a new and very special adventure.

"Adopters need to be over 21, live in Lancashire, Blackpool or close by.  Adoption Lancashire & Blackpool are an inspired and inspiring team who are there to answer your questions and help you take the first steps on a journey that will change yours and these wonderful children's lives."

Adoption is a big life-changing decision and our adoption team offer all the support and training you need and will try to find the best match between your circumstances and the children we have who need a forever home.

Anyone who wishes to adopt, regardless of age, marital status, sexuality or gender will be considered. There are no strict rules about whether people should have jobs, their own homes or have their own children.

Councillor Jim Hobson, Blackpool Council's cabinet member for Children’s Social Care, said: “It is an unbelievably rewarding and life-changing moment to adopt a child. You can talk to our friendly team on the phone and we also hold regular information events across the county where you can find out more about adopting with us and ask any questions you may have.”