LGBTQ+ in the UK? You can change lives in '25 by adopting or fostering. This LGBTQ+ Adoption & Fostering Week you can find out more about both routes to parenting and caring right here.
Below you'll find stories from people just like you who've adopted or now foster. They come from across the UK and each story is unique.
When you're ready to find out more you can use our agency finder below. All the agencies included want to hear from you as a potential applicant. Each will hold free information sessions you can attend - either online or in-person - and can offer you free access to our services when you go on your journey with them.
You can also join us for free as a Bronze member to attend our information sessions. Held monthly these are specifically for LGBTQ+ people. The next one takes place 4 March.
Join as a Bronze member
Read the media release
Monday 3 March
Our respite foster child has been with us for a decade - Apple Podcasts / Spotify
Summary: Graham and John have been fostering their child, who initially came to them for a weekend, for almost decade. They talk about how they supported their child through the uncertainty about his future and how they're delighted he's with them permanently.
Summary: Leanne talks about building attachment with her two young children who were adopted together when they were one and two.
Foster carer looking after four teens - Apple Podcasts / Spotify
Summary: Dave is a single carer and has been fostering teenagers since he started fostering during Covid. He talks about creating a low-conflict home in which they can thrive. He also talks about how he manages behaviour which some people find challenging.
Summary: Amber escaped a forced marriage and rebuilt her life. She decided to adopt when she was 40 and talks about how adopting complements her spiritual beliefs.
Information events
North East
Adopt with Adopt Coast to Coast RAA [online session] view as Bronze
Tuesday 04 March
Summary: Arjay and Tom adopted two year old twin girls 12 weeks ago. The girls were born prematurely meaning there's some uncertainly about their health and development. The new dads are thrilled with their family life.
Fostering older children is the best thing I’ve done! -apple podcasts / spotify
Summary: John's a single foster carer in Scotland with a ten-year-old child permanently placed with him, a 16-year-old child temporarily placed and a crazy puppy. As someone who admits they knew next to nothing about children when he picked up a leaflet about fostering, he loves being a foster carer.
Summary: Joy has fostered for ten years.
We’re open to adopt a large sibling group - Apple podcasts / spotify
Summary: Lucy and Marie are in the adoption assessment process and share their stage one delays. As an only child Marie was sure she wanted siblings. The couple felt that adopting siblings at the same time would help the children and mean the couple wouldn't have to go through the assessment process more than once. They know they'd like to adopt at least two but are open to adopting a bigger sibling group. Their network of people who've adopted siblings has helped cement their decision.
Information events
North West England
Fostering with Foster Care Matters [online session] view as Bronze member
South East England
Adopting with Buckinghamshire Adoption Partnership RAA [online session] view as Bronze member
Scotland
LGBTQ+ online adoption information session with Scottish Adoption [online session] view as Bronze member
All UK regions
New Family Social's Introduction to adoption & fostering for LGBTQ+ people view as Bronze member
Wednesday 05 March
Summary: Alex and Terry specialise in fostering babies and discuss their journey to fostering in this instalment. You'll also hear about their first placement and the first baby who moved on from them to a permanent home.
Solo adopter of a child with additional needs - Apple podcasts / Spotify
Summary: Lee's a solo transracial adopter of a child with additional needs. He talks about navigating support for her and about how excited he is about her future.
Foster carers from Muslim backgrounds - Apple Podcasts / spotify
Summary: Nowal and Sarah currently foster a teenager. They talk about the assessment process, family support and knowing your limits.
Information events
East Midlands
Adopt with Family Adoption Links RAA [online session] view as Bronze member
East of England
Foster with Suffolk County Council [online session] view as Bronze member
North West England
Adopt with Adoption Counts RAA [online session] view as Bronze member
South West England
Adopt with Adopt South West RAA [online session] view as Bronze member
Yorkshire & the Humber
Fostering with Leeds City Council [in-person event, Leeds] view as Bronze member
Wales
Information evening with Vale, Valleys & Cardiff Regional Adoption Collaborative [online event] view as Bronze member
Multiple regions in England
Adopt with Adoption Focus [online session] view as Bronze member
Thursday 06 March
Summary: Eddie and his husband had a child placed with them through early permanence, who was later returned to their birth family. The couple then went on to adopt two neurodivergent children.
Fostering a teenager as a single gay man - Apple Podcasts / Spotify
Summary: Dan started fostering four months ago and shares his experience of caring for a teenager as a single carer.
Summary: Rosie and Emily adopted a young baby through early permanence after IVF failed.
From our first enquiry to parenthood in nine months - Apple Podcasts / Spotify
Summary: Yannick and his partner had a fast and smooth journey adopting their five-year-old child, who's been with them for a month. He talks about activity days and why it's important to be assertive in the process.
Information events
North East England
Adopt with ARC Adoption North East [online session] view as Bronze member
South East England
LGBTQ+ pathways to family for Adoption South East RAA [online session] view as Bronze member
Fostering and adoption information evening for Brighton & Hove City Council [online session] view as Bronze member
Scotland
Adopt with St Andrew’s Children’s Society [online session] view as Bronze member
LGBTQ+ online fostering information session with Scottish Adoption view as Bronze member
Friday 07 March
Summary: Chris and his husband are fostering-to-adopt a baby despite not having intended to take that route. Chris talks about why they were initially put off by the uncertainty foster-to-adopt brings. He also shares their plan to have ongoing direct contact with the child's birth family.
Summary: Joseph's a dual heritage gay man who was adopted as a baby by white parents. As an adult, with his white partner, he fostered and then adopted a dual heritage child. Joseph talks about his experiences as an adoptee and a foster carer and adopter.
“I’ve been a foster carer for three years” - Apple Podcasts / Spotify
Summary: Jasmine talks about the joys and challenges of being a foster carer.
Adopting an older autistic child has been a joy - Apple Podcasts / Spotify
Summary: Emily and her partner adopted a seven year old autistic boy who has brought so much into their lives. She encourages prospective adopters to be open minded about children with additional needs.
Information events
East of England
Fostering with Thurrock Council [online session] view as Bronze member
South East England
Adopting with PACT (Parents and Children Together [online session] view as Bronze member
Yorkshire & the Humber
Barnardo’s ‘Let’s talk fostering and adoption for LGBT+ people’ [in-person event, Leeds] view as Bronze member
Foster4Leeds recruitment pop-up [in-person event, Leeds] view as Bronze member
Saturday 08 March
Information events
Multiple regions in England & Wales
Adopt with Adoption Matters [online session] view as Bronze member
Is it the right time
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