National Adoption Week 2022

17.10.22

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Adoption promote how people identify the significance of connecting with their past, through adoption ‘memory boxes’

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Adoption are proud to be participating in National Adoption Week (17^th – 23^rd October 2022) which highlights people’s reflections on their relationships from before, during, and after they were adopted.

National Adoption Week is a nationwide campaign which plays an essential role in raising awareness of the number of vulnerable children who need adoptive families.

This year, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Adoption are highlighting how important it is for adopted people to be able to understand and feel connected to their past – often through physical keepsakes such as letters, photographs, or childhood toys and sometimes through direct contact with birth family members).

A new survey released today reveals the special role that ‘memory boxes’ and other sentimental items play in forming our identities and reminding us of the past. 61% in East of England keep a ‘memory box’ or equivalent – the most common items are printed photographs, greetings cards, toys, and handwritten letters.

As part of the campaign, Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Regional Agency is also releasing their Early Permanence Films showing two adopters’ real-life experience on Foster for Adoption, otherwise known as Early Permanence (EP) Placement.

Babies and children are placed in Early Permanence Placements with approved adopters who are also approved as Foster Carers. The Early Permanence carers act as Foster Carers to the child while the courts decide whether or not a child can return to their birth family. If the courts decide that the child can be adopted the Early Permanence Carers, then go on to the adopt the child. This allows prospective adopters to care for the child from a young age and can provide an opportunity for them to learn information about the child directly from birth family members and support the child to feel connected to their past as they grow.

Kerry, an adoptive parent from Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Adoption said: “The contact that is involved gave me an opportunity to develop a relationship with her birth mother, find out a lot about her, find out a lot about her half siblings which will be invaluable for us in the future when I start to talk to my daughter about her history and her family”

You can watch Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Adoption Films on our YouTube channel.

View here: Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Adoption YouTube Page

 Councillor Bryony Goodliffe, Chair of Cambridgeshire County Council’s Children and Young People’s Committee, said: “This year’s National Adoption Week highlights the importance of relationships and identity for adopted people, we are supporting this campaign to give significance of finding the right parents for children and young people who can, not only give them the stable and loving home they need, but who can also support and identify with them emotionally and culturally.”

Councillor Bryony also added “We are always looking for prospective parents to come forward and find out what is involved with adoption. If anyone has ever thought about adopting or would like to find out more about adoption, I encourage them to come to one of our Adoption Information Sessions.”

Councillor Lynne Ayres, Peterborough City Council’s Cabinet Member for Children's Services, Education, Skills, and the University, said: “Supporting this year’s National Adoption Week campaign is a good opportunity to bring about the importance of finding the right parents for children and young people who can help them develop a secure sense of personal, family and social identity.”

Councillor Lynne added “We are asking people to find out more about adoption and come to one of our Adoption Information Sessions. The adoption team at Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Adoption will guide and support you throughout your adoption journey.”

Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Adoption Service are hosting a Drop-In Session in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough:

• Cambourne Library – Friday 14th October from 2:00 to 4:00pm
• Sand Martin House, Bittern Way, Peterborough – Monday 24th October from 5:00 to 7:00pm

You can also come to one of our monthly Adoption Information Sessions by contacting the adoption service here: www.cpadoption.co.uk/contact-us