People across Leicestershire are being urged to become adopters as part of a week-long celebration.
National Adoption Week, which runs until Sunday, 22 October, aims to find families for some of the most vulnerable children.
The county council is encouraging the public to get on board and start their journey to become the next generation of adopters. Current adoptive parents, as well as lots of staff members, are also backing the campaign.
It's a fitting time to emphasise that we would really like to hear from prospective adopters. Adoption can really make a difference to a child’s life - it does not matter about your religious background, sexual orientation or whether you are a home owner or renting, all we ask is that you have the time and dedication to help a child prosper.
"If you are over 21, and want to make a difference to a child’s life and for them to be a member of your family then adoption may be the right option for you to make your family complete. To find out more about adoption, please get in touch with the team.
Person:County councillor Ivan Ould, cabinet member for children and families
The only requirements for prospective adoptive families are that they are committed to parenting a child and making them a part of their family, have a spare bedroom, no serious criminal convictions and they are over the age of 21.
One adopter, Luke, is also supporting the week-long awareness week. He said: “My partner and I always wanted to have our own child and, through adoption, our dream has come true. Our little boy makes us very happy and we’d like to think we do the same for him.”
For people interested in finding out more, the next ‘find out about adoption’ event will be held from 6.30pm to 8pm on Thursday, 21 November, at County Hall in Glenfield. Alternatively, you can call 0116 305 0505 or email fosteringandadoption@leics.gov.uk
More information is also available by visiting www.adoptionleicestershire.com which includes a clip of Luke discussing his experience of adoption which can be viewed below.