Adoption: Find out more at a special online event

Adoption Matters will take part in Big Adoption Day and is hosting an online information event at 7pm on January 21 to explain adoption through Voluntary Adoption Agencies.

Adoption Matters will join Voluntary Adoption Agencies across the UK for Big Adoption Day on Wednesday January 21. The initiative, led by the Consortium of Voluntary Adoption Agencies and the children's charity Coram, highlights the work of VAAs in finding adoptive families and shares real-life family stories. Voluntary Adoption Agencies are independent not-for-profit organisations that offer personalised services and lifelong support to adopters from diverse backgrounds. Currently, 2,940 children are reported to be waiting to be adopted across England, with almost half having waited more than 18 months since entering care. Key details: - Adoption Matters will host an online information event at 7pm on January 21 as part of Big Adoption Day. - Big Adoption Day is coordinated by the Consortium of Voluntary Adoption Agencies and Coram and involves agencies across the UK sharing information and family experiences. - The report cites 2,940 children waiting to be adopted in England, and notes that almost half have waited more than 18 months. - VAAs are described as independent not-for-profit organisations that place many children who wait longest in care, including older children, sibling groups, children from the global majority, and children with disabilities, and they provide lifelong, flexible support to families. - The article includes a family example: Morgan and Derry adopted in 2024; their son came to live with them at age five and they describe their home changing with family life. - Information and event details are listed on Adoption Matters' website (adoptiomatters.org/big2026) and a registration link is provided in the announcement. Summary: Big Adoption Day events, including Adoption Matters' online session, aim to raise awareness of children waiting for adoption and the services voluntary agencies offer to support families. The next scheduled step is the online information event at 7pm on January 21.