Page 33 - Fyne Times Spring 2014
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Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
(LGBT) people are being urged to consider
adoption and fostering ahead of the second
annual LGBT Adoption and Fostering
Week, which runs from 3rd to 9th March
2014.
Leading adoption and fostering charities
believe LGBT people could help make up
the shortfall of foster carers and adoptive
parents across the UK. It’s estimated that
4,000 children need adopting every year,
and an additional 9,000 foster carers must
be found. It’s estimated that if just two
percent of LGBT people came forward
to foster or adopt, they could meet the
shortfall of homes needed for children
currently in care.
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
that 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.”
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 and to find an
event nearby, visit
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