Family Matters
by Adoption UK
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.
Episodes
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Lost Boys, Fairies & Real Life: Daf x James on Adoption & Storytelling
In this episode of Family Matters, James talks with Daf, the writer and creator of BBC’s Lost Boys & Fairies. Together they explore adoption and representation on screen, the inspiration behind Lost Boys & Fairies, and how stories like Doctor Who can help adoptees make sense of identity…
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Far Beyond the Adoption Order: Trauma, love, and the fight for support
In this powerful episode, Sarah speaks to Euan Preston and Gillian Elam from the Potato Group (Parents of Traumatised Adopted Teens Organisation) about their groundbreaking report Far, Far Beyond the Adoption Order. They explore the lived experiences of hundreds of adoptive families parenting…
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'What Has Worked for You?' Simon Benn asks for your insights on trauma and healing
In this episode of Family Matters, host Sarah speaks with Simon Benn - adoptee, trainer, and host of the Thriving Adoptees podcast. They explore identity, healing, and how the stories we tell ourselves shape our lives. Simon shares personal insights from his own adoption experience, introduces…
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Inside the Psychology and Therapy Hub (PATH): Support that truly ‘gets it’
In this episode of Family Matters we speak with Dr Julie Elliott, Clinical Director of Adoption UK’s Psychology and Therapy Hub (PATH), about what therapy really means for adoptive families, kinship carers, long-term foster carers, and adopted adults. Julie shares insights from her decades of...
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Parenting From A Distance
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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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'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.
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Radical Self-care for Carers
In our latest podcast episode we take a dip in the sea at Penarth with adoptive parent Penny. She explains why she had to get serious about self care and what it is about cold water swimming that calms her nervous system and allows her to be a better parent.
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Finding Mac - Adoption, Love and Loss with Rev Richard Sutcliffe
Mac was adopted at the age of 8 by Richard and Swee. Richard recalls first meeting Mac, their family life together and how has come to terms with great loss. You can buy his memoir Finding Mac, a journey of adoption, love and loss on Amazon. Finding Mac: A journey of adoption, love and loss:...
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Adult Adoptees in Conversation: Contact, reunion and long, lost families
In this episode, we dive into the experiences of two adult adoptees as they discuss the complexities of honesty in adoption, unexpected birth family contact, and the impact of reunion. This episode highlights the realities adoptees face and the importance of centering their voices in these...
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Young Adoptees Meet the Minister
In December a group of young adoptees travelled to Westminster to meet the Children's Minister Janet Daby. In this episode they share the messages they delivered and the changes they want to see. If you are an adoptee aged 16 or over or an adoptive parent, please take part in our Adoption…
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Stress-Free Christmas: Expert Tips for Adoptive Families
Christmas can be a magical time, but it often comes with its share of stress, especially for adoptive families navigating unique challenges. In this special episode of the "Family Matters" podcast, we dive deep into practical tips and heartfelt advice to help you enjoy a serene and joyful…
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Adoption Today: Legacies of Forced Adoption and the Modern Impact with Dr. Michael Lambert (Part 2)
In the second half of her conversation with Dr. Michael Lambert, Nerys explores the ways in which historic forced adoption practices resonate within today’s adoption landscape. Together, they ask important questions: What might a UK-wide apology mean for the adoption triangle—adoptees, birth...
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Uncovering the Past: Forced Adoption in the UK with Dr. Michael Lambert (Part 1)
In this episode, host Nerys, an adult adoptee, sits down with Dr. Michael Lambert of Lancaster University to delve into the hidden history of forced adoption practices in the UK. Dr. Lambert shares insights from his research on the state’s role in these practices, as well as his involvement in…
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Trauma-informed Education - Isn’t it just excusing bad behaviour?
Is trauma-informed education just a load of made up rubbish? Is all behaviour communication or are we making excuses for poor behaviour? In this episode, recorded as part of our break the barriers to education campaign, our education advisors debate the hot topics. To find out more about our...
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The Adoption Process: Being Matched with a Child
Our panel of experience talk through what matching is and how it works, the role of family finding social workers, foster to adopt and how to hold your nerve. For more information, visit our website https://www.adoptionuk.org/
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The Adoption Process: Going to Panel
The next step in the adoption process is going to the assessment panel. Our own panel of experts by experience shares what that involves, how it feels and what to expect. For more information, visit our website https://www.adoptionuk.org/
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The Adoption Process: Being Assessed
It's the third episode in our series for National Adoption Week and we're heading into the assessment process. We talk about having a social worker and what their role is, what they will be looking into and how intrusive it is. Our panel offer their advice and share their experiences of being...
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The Adoption Process: Getting Prepared
It's the second of our series about the adoption process for National Adoption Week. Our panel talk about who to approach if you're considering adopting, how much choice you have, attending the first information session and the training programme. For more information visit our website...
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Thinking About Adopting? Here’s What You Need to Know
It's the very first episode of our brand new podcast and it's National Adoption Week in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It's almost as if it was planned that way. To get us started our panel discuss what to consider if you are just starting to think about adopting a child who is in the care…
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Family Matters Podcast - Teaser
Stay tuned for episodes from our podcast, launching on Monday, 21st October.
About this show
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.
Hosted by
Adoption UK