“When we moved from England to Northern Ireland, we thought, instead of having our own child, why don’t we adopt and give a child a better life than one they might have.”
A couple in Northern Ireland have opened up on the journey of adopting their “bubbly, intelligent and confident” daughter at age four.
During Adoption Week, South Eastern Trust parents Laura and Gareth have described their daughter as the “perfect way for us to have built our family.”
The adoption system took around two years from start to finish for the pair.
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Laura said: “There were multiple people involved to support us. When our daughter was placed with us, there were three different Social Workers working alongside us to make sure the placement was settling in well.”
Gareth said adoption was something they had always considered. He told: “When we moved from England to Northern Ireland, we thought, instead of having our own child, why don’t we adopt and give a child a better life than one they might have.”
Now aged eight, their daughter ‘fills their home with colour, laughter and creativity’.
Laura said: “It is difficult to put into words what it means to have her in our lives. She was very much her own person coming into our family. Our house was filled with toys from the second she arrived. She has brought a real energy and joy to our home.”
The couple said there was a lot of learning during that first year, but described the experience as “absolutely wonderful”.
“We are now four years on and I couldn’t imagine not having her in our family”, Laura added.
Laura and Gareth also shared advice for anyone considering adoption: “Definitely take it really seriously. You are starting a new family, or adding someone to your existing one. It is a big commitment, but we would not have built our family any other way. Adoption was the right path for us, it is a brilliant way to build a family.”
South Eastern Trust Social Worker Karen Leonard added: “Adoptive parents play a vital role in giving some of the youngest children in foster care the stability, love and security they need to thrive.
“Many of the children waiting the longest for adoption are part of a sibling group or have already begun their primary school journey. We are keen to hear from individuals and families who believe they have the time, energy, patience and resilience to make a lasting difference in a child’s life.
“Together we can help every child find the safe and loving home they deserve.”
If you want to hear more about adoption, you can enquire via adoptionandfostercare.hscni.net or by calling the South Eastern Trust Adoption Team on 02891270672.
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