In this episode, Sarah talks to Penny and Philippa, two adoptive parents and Adoption UK staff, about what it means to parent from a distance. They share honest, moving stories about keeping relationships alive when a child can no longer live at home, the impact of trauma, and the practical and emotional strategies they’ve used to stay connected through it all.Call our information and support line: 0300 666 0006Visit our information and support line page for open hours and more information.
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32:23
Through a Trauma Lens: What Adoption Support Gets Wrong
Adopted, adopter, and social worker Fiona Wells joins us to share her powerful personal journey and why she founded PATCH - Passionate Adopters Targeting Change with Hope.We discuss rising crisis levels among adoptive families, the failures of current support systems, and Fiona’s call for trauma-informed, compassionate change. She introduces the Impact Pathway - a new tool for understanding and planning for children’s recovery from trauma.🔗 Learn more at adoptionuk.org and ourpatch.org.uk
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58:07
Adoption, Neurodiversity and Identity
In this episode, Charlotte speaks to Paul Roberts about growing up adopted, his late diagnoses of dyslexia and ADHD, and the inspiration behind his workbook for children going through the adoption process. Paul reflects on the importance of being able to tell your own story, the challenges of accessing birth records, and why adult adoptees need more support.Paul Roberts BA (Hons) PGCE QTS | LinkedInFinding My Rainbow Family - Pauls own adoption storyPurchasing Finding My Rainbow Family - an activity book for children going through theadoption process.Rainbow Books Collective - Facebook Rainbow Books Collective - LinkedIn Rainbow Books Collective - X (Formally Twitter)
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41:29
Disability Benefits – What Every Carer Needs to Know
In this episode, Emma talks to Sarah Fry and Helen Willis from the Belay Foundation about disability benefits – what they are, who’s eligible, and why so many families miss out.They also share practical advice on filling in the forms, how to evidence what daily life really looks like, and what support is available to help you through the process.You can find out more about the Belay Foundation and access their free resources at belayfoundation.org.uk
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52:34
'You're someone new now'- An Interview with Mahesha Rice
At the age of 8 Mahesha was sent from her home in Sri Lanka to France, where she was adopted by an aunt. In this moving interview, she describes being uprooted from everything she knew and the lifelong consequences.
Join us for Family Matters, a podcast dedicated to exploring the many facets of adoption, care experience, and parenting. In each episode, we dive into personal stories, expert insights, and real-life challenges that shape the journey of being parented and parenting. With guidance from our team of psychologists, we tackle pressing issues around identity, family history, and more. Whether you're an adoptive parent, care-experienced, or simply curious, tune in for meaningful conversations that offer support, understanding, and inspiration.
To find out more about Adoption UK visit our website https://www.adoptionuk.org/. If you need support visit our Information and Support https://www.adoptionuk.org/get-help-now.
UK